AUBURN – Modesty was the common theme at the 21st Annual Auburn-Lewiston Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday as the most recent class of athletes took their place among the cities’ elite.

Dave Harkins, Dick LaFrance, Gerry LeBlanc and Gloriane Perrier were inducted into the hall in a ceremony at the Lost Valley lodge, bringing the total number of permanent inductees to 90 since 1983.

“People have come up and said we must be running out of people now,” the evening’s master of ceremonies Ralph Tuttle said. “The fact is, that just isn’t true. Every year we come up with a long list athletes and every year it seems we find someone new that has fallen through the cracks before.”

This year’s class featured two quarterbacks, a hockey player and an Olympic rower.

Harkins, the first to be honored on Sunday, won seven letters in baseball and football while at Lewiston High School. In 1947, his senior season with the Blue Devils, Harkins led the team to a perfect 8-0 record and a state title.

“I had truly remarkable coaches when I played,” Harkins said. “They helped me to develop into the athlete I was. I really like to think of this award as a family award, since I was one in a line of Harkins’ that played baseball and football at Lewiston between 1926 and 1947. There was a member of my family that lettered in every season between those years.”

After leaving Lewiston, Harkins played at Bates for Hall of Fame coach Bob Hatch, who was given a nod into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame this year.

“I talked to some of his former teammates before coming here tonight,” Hatch said. “I asked them to describe him, and the words that came out most often were modest, intense, intelligent, loyal, tough, and a true friend. That really sums up what he was all about, to his high school, his college and to his community.”

Another quarterback joining Harkins in the class of 2004, LeBlanc was inducted by his nephew, Lewiston High School football coach Bill County.

“Growing up and playing football in the streets and in the parks, we used to talk about good players from the past,” County said. “One name that always came up was Gerry LeBlanc.”

In 1948, LeBlanc led the Red Eddies to the state title, and received many offers from top Division I schools, including UCLA and Alabama. He turned those down in favor of staying home and starting a family. He served a tour in Korea with the military, and then for 15 years on the Lewiston Police Department before retiring to become an electrician.

LaFrance made one of the more notable speeches of the evening after accepting his induction to the hall.

“I was once told that a short speech is a good speech,” the humble 71-year-old former hockey star said. “On that note, thank you, and good night.”

Though humble, his accomplishments certainly warranted his inclusion. Playing for St. Dom’s, LaFrance led the team to four state titles in his four years, and to a New England championship in his sophomore year.

Providence College and Michigan were two schools to offer LaFrance scholarships, but he turned those down, as well as a chance to play in the 1960 Olympics, choosing instead to stay in Lewiston, where he continued to play for the Bates Fabrics, Waterville Bruins, and Country Kitchen.

Perrier, meanwhile, was recognized for her achievements in rowing.

After leaving Lewiston to work at the Pentagon at the age of 21, Perrier was discovered by a rowing coach at a bowling alley in Washington. At 30 years old, she had never even been in a boat.

In 1960, she became the first American woman to compete in Olympic kayaking, and in 1964 she won a silver medal in the pairs kayaking event in Tokyo.

Still spry, Perrier could not attend the ceremony on Sunday. Her friend, retired Army Col. Jeff Petrucci, spoke on her behalf.

“She is a wonderful representative of you and your community,” Petrucci said. “She really wanted to be here and could not make it, but rest assured she takes it seriously and is very proud.”

Also honored on Sunday were 22 recipients of the Chamber President’s Award, given annually to local coaches and athletes who excel in their sports.

Honored on Sunday were coaches Dan Campbell, Ben Hayes and Jamie Belleau of Edward Little, and Ron Chicoine and Deneka Fortier of Lewiston.

Athletes honored included Nicole Keene of Auburn, currently playing at Bryant College, Liz Wanless of Bates College; Amanda Bryant, Jason Dube, Scott Geoffroy, Nick Lajoie, Beth Melanson, Katie L. Morin and Amy Sarrazin, all of Lewiston; Josh Dwinal, Audrey Pleau and Ian Pullen of St. Dom’s; and Sam Fletcher, Mert Gould, Chris LeClair and Kyle Smith of Edward Little.

Two teams were honored as Flashback to Fame teams on their 50th anniversaries were the 1954 St. Dom’s hockey state championship team and the 1954 Bates Manufacturing Baseball team.

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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