The first Mt. Blue Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Saturday evening, Jan. 7, at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Members and coaches from the 2000 Mt. Blue High School girls basketball team, which was the first team to be inducted are seen in front of the wall where members of the hall will be highlighted. Submitted photo

FARMINGTON — The first ever Mt. Blue Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Saturday evening, Jan. 7, between the girls and boys basketball games against Brewer.

“Mt. Blue High School opened in 1968 and has had a long, rich tradition of athletics over the past 54 years,” Cyndi Pratt, director of athletics said. “We have had many outstanding coaches, athletes, teams and contributors to our athletics programs and tonight we will induct the first special group of individuals and a team into our Hall of Fame.  Their records, accomplishments, dedication, and legacies will forever be enshrined in the [Mt. Blue] Athletics Hall of Fame.”

The ceremony was the culmination of many years of work by the committee, school officials and local businesses, Pratt said. She noted the event wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of the Hall of Fame Committee, including Chad Brackett [former athletic director], James Black [district business manager] and Roger Bolduc. Liz LeClair organized the reception and created the program while Jake Bogar and his students designed the medallions and plaques “that will be displayed on our new Hall of Fame wall outside the gymnasium,” she added.

The Hall of Fame sponsor, Origin and its owners Pete and Amanda Roberts were also recognized. Both are alumni of Mt. Blue High School.

Longtime Mt. Blue boys basketball coach Jim Bessey, second from left is seen with family Saturday evening, Jan. 7, at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Bessey was among the first group named to the Mt. Blue Athletics Hall of Fame. Submitted photo

The first Mt. Blue Athletics Hall of Fame inductees were:

Contributors

• Paul [Bucky] Sproul for his countless hours supporting RSU 9 sports programs as a football official, umpire, field maintenance expert and everything in between over three decades.

Robert Stevens Sr., the school’s first athletic director was influential in the creation of many of the sports programs along with the cougar mascot and had significant input on the school colors settling on the infamous blue and gold of Mt. Blue.

Athletes

Mike Adams, second from right is seen with family Saturday evening, Jan. 7, at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Adams was named Mr. Basketball in 1990 and was among the first group inducted into the Mt. Blue Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday. Submitted photo

Mike Adams is the only male basketball player in Mt Blue High School history to receive the Mr. Basketball award as the best player in the state of Maine, earning the award in 1990. He was also the KVAC player of the year and a McDonalds All-Star recipient during high school and now coaches high school basketball.

Heather Ernest won the prestigious honor of Maine’s Miss Basketball in 2000 on her way to a second straight state championship and undefeated season for the Mt. Blue girls team. She was a 1,000 point scorer and continued her dominance throughout her college and professional playing career.

Heather Ernest holds up the plaque she received Saturday evening, Jan. 7, during the first Mt. Blue Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Ernest was named Miss Basketball, was a 1,000 point scorer in high school and was part of the undefeated girls basketball team in 2000. Submitted photo

Dustin Ireland’s football career at Mt. Blue High School involves many school passing records along with being the only player from Mt. Blue High School to win the coveted Fitzpatrick Trophy as the state’s best football player. He had the record for most completions in a game and season, most passing yards in a career and season and stood out amongst active quarterbacks for his ability not only to throw the ball but also run.

Ryan Leib was a two time All-State player and voted as an All-American in boys soccer in 1989. His field presence along with his scoring ability made him a challenge for anyone to cover and his impact on the game in high school, college and as a professional has been remarkable. He is one of the few soccer athletes who played professionally once leaving Mt. Blue High School. 

Sam Webber was a fierce competitor on the mat where he compiled one of the greatest wrestling careers ever at Mt. Blue, compiling a record of 144 wins with only 12 losses. During his dominance on the mat he was a regional champ four times and state champion twice. He qualified for the New England championship, placing 6th in his weight class.

Coaches

Jim Bessey or Jimbo as the Zoo Crew called him was as dynamic at coaching as he was at entertaining the crowd, compiling an overall record of 475 wins in 40 years as a varsity head coach, with 421 of those wins occurring over 36 seasons at Mt. Blue. His team qualified for the tournament 21 of the last 26 years of his reign at Mt. Blue and his 1997 boys  team won the Eastern Maine Championship. Coach Bessey is also a member of the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.

Ray Caldwell paced the sidelines of what is now known as Caldwell field for 21 seasons, impacting hundreds of athletes and building Mt. Blue football into a perennial playoff contender. Over the course of his more than two decade long tenure he compiled a record of 149 wins with only 53 losses, reaching the pinnacle of success as a high school football coach by winning multiple state championships. He led the Mt. Blue State Championship teams of 1974, 1975, and 1980. 

Teams

The 2000 Mt. Blue girls basketball team, arguably one of the best girls teams to ever step foot on the hardwood here at Mt. Blue High School was extremely skilled in all positions and played together like a well oiled machine. This group of girls never tasted defeat with a 22-0 record during the 2000 season. The culmination of the work they put in ended with a perfect season and a state championship against the Juggernaut of McAuley. Every team member played a vital role in that record setting season whether a starter or not. This amazing team was led by one of the best coaching staffs ever assembled which included Chandler Woodcock, Rachel Austin, Stella McLean and Jon Barry who all put in countless hours.         

Team athletes were: Amber Alexander, Marget Blauvelt, Becky Corey, Kim Drosdik, Heather Ernest, Kristy Kiernan, Amanda James, Jolene Powers, Kiley McGuire, Brandy Sloan, Avery Stevens, Andrea Tuttle, Michel Vining and Rachael Yates.

Managers were Susan Hastings and Alena Hooper.