AUBURN – John White can’t help but feel a sense of home with the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame.

The former Edward Little and University of Maine athlete, retired EL administrator and current official can glance around the honorees and not only see former coaches and mentors, but also family.

That’s what makes his induction this year that much more special. White, along with Fred Royer, James Chaplin and Marcel Mathieu, are the newest inductees. They were announced Friday and will be honored at the 26th annual banquet April 26 at Lost Valley.

“It’s special in a lot of ways,” said White. “It’s nice to be part of such a select group. It’s also nice to join my father (John), my Uncle Bud, who was an outstanding athlete, and my brother-in-law Robert Kendall. It’s nice to join family as well as all the other people that came before me.”

White was a four-sport athlete at EL and went on to compete in football and track at the University of Maine. After his playing career, he coached three years in Bangor before returning to EL. He coached gymnastics and was the offensive coordinator for three state championship football teams. He served as athletic director for 20 years and was the Maine Interscholastic AD of the Year in 1994. Since retiring from EL, White has been officiating in multiple sports.

It was the atmosphere created by his family and peers that set the tone for the athletic career that followed.

“Growing up in a swimming family, my grandfather was a swim coach at Edward Little when my father and his brothers and sisters were swimming there,” said White. “So we kind of got an introduction to swimming. My Uncle Bud, who was in the Class of 1984 (at the A-L Hall of Fame), swam at Bowdoin and played semi-professional basketball. So we had those ties to different sports and role models.”

Royer has ties to the Hall of Fame as well. He has served as a committee member in past years before becoming an inductee this year.

“I was on the credentials committee and helped select high school athletes,” said Royer. “It’s a worthwhile endeavor and a great organization.”

Royer was an All-State football player at Lewiston and went on to play at the University of Maine. He followed that with a coaching career that still has him active today. While at Maranacook he won four state titles with the ski team and the football team. He has also coached at Bates College, Hebron Academy and Lewiston , where he is currently the softball coach.

“It gives me a great sense of pride being a Lewiston-Auburn community member,” said Royer. “I grew up in New Auburn and transferred over to Lewiston in the eighth grade. So I have ties to both cities, and it gives me a great deal of respect for both communities.”

Chaplin made a name for himself playing baseball. He succeeded at all levels of the sport and followed his playing career with a stint at coaching.

“I have great memories,” said Chaplin. “I had great teammates and great coaches. I enjoyed it. I loved baseball. I still do. I watch it all the time. I loved to watch kids play, and I enjoyed coaching when I did that.”

Chaplin pitched for EL and went to Maine, where he recorded the lowest ERA in the school’s history, 1.02. He later competed in the Cape Cod League. He took up coaching and worked in the Auburn Senior Little League.

“It’s very flattering,” said Chaplin. “I’m in very good company. John White, Fred Royer and Marcel Mathieu were all great athletes and people. It’s been a long time since I played baseball, but I’m happy to be honored.”

Mathieu was the only inductee not in attendance Friday. He will travel to Maine next week from Arizona. The St. Dom’s grad became an accomplished pitcher in fast pitch softball, winning four World Championships.

The list of Chamber President’s Awards were also announced. Coaches Ron Chicoine, Kevin Cullen, Ron Dumont, Tara Eretzian, Kayla Koss, Anita Murphy and Laurie Servidio will be recognized. College seniors to be honored will be Izzy Alexander, Val Beckwith, Tracy Bradley, Alison Coleman, Sylvan Ellefson, Kelsey Lamdin, Kyle Smith, Adam Wilding. Awards for high school seniors will go to Julia Bergeron, Shane Ciriello, Toby Crispin, Emily Dodge, Cody Goddard, Ben Hartnett, Greg LaBonte, Robbie Leeman, Samantha Morency, Richard Paradis, Casey Parker, Michelle Rancourt and Corey Therriault.

Other awards present will include the recognition of the 1984 Lewiston girls’ tennis team with the Flashback Team Award.

The late William Conley (Pioneer Award) and Harold Lucas (Earl B. Austin Award) will also be honored.

Reservations for the banquet are available at the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, (783-2249). Ticket prices are $25.