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Testimonials

Jason Fuller

The Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship program is a tremendous opportunity for the athletes in the State of Maine. I know the scholarship had a huge impact on my life. At the time I received it, my family was struggling with how we were going to afford to send me to Cornell University. It was clearly my first choice and the price tag for my family was significant.

The scholarship freed up money to allot to other expenses. Along with a few other scholarships, it allowed me to commit to the institute that I truly wanted to attend.

My time at Cornell University, while short (1 semester), had a tremendous impact on my life. During that semester, and through my experiences in athletics and in the classroom, I certainly came to realize what I really wanted in life. I came to realize that I wanted to remain in the state of Maine and possibly pursue a role in the athletic field. I transferred to the University of Maine where I was able to start working towards high school education and coaching along with studying science.

After college, I was immediately hired at Lewiston High School to teach science. Additionally, I was given the opportunity to coach football, basketball, and baseball. After coaching for 10 years at various levels, I was extremely fortunate to be hired as the school's athletic director. It's been an amazing experience - one that I truly love.

I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of the alumni of this scholarship program and organization. It is clear that this group values every aspect of being a high school student-athlete. I know the thought and consideration that the group puts into awarding these scholarships - it's an amazing honor to be selected.

Jason Fuller

1991 Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete

Current Athletic Administrator at Lewiston High School

Craig Milliard

I was selected for the Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award (MSHF) in 2008 as a senior at Thornton Academy in Saco. In high school I participated in football, indoor, and outdoor track and field- earning ten varsity letters. In track I was a top point scorer for our team which won the Class A Outdoor Track and Field State Meet in 2008. I was a captain and named the MVP of our track team in 2008. I was named the second team All-Conference Tight End and the Most Improved Player in 2008 for football.

I had a very strong interest in science classes during high school. I decided to combine my academic interest in science and my personal interest in aviation by perusing an Aerospace Engineering degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida. Embry-Riddle is a highly respected school in the aviation community and its Aerospace Engineering degree has been ranked #1 in the country for more than the last ten consecutive years by the U.S. News and World Report. Those accolades come with a high dollar price tag. I was recruited to compete in Track and Field for ERAU, which gave me a partial scholarship, and was also awarded a partial academic scholarship. I'm certain my selection for the MSHF Award helped me earn those two scholarships. However these scholarships still didn't cover the cost of school. The MSHF Award also helped me in this area; the scholarship component of the award gave me enough money to cover living expenses for freshman year, which saved me from requiring a part time job. Without a part time job I was able to fulfill my strenuous academic and athletic commitments, resulting in my success in both arenas. In turn, this success earned me more scholarships for my remaining years.

The final link in the chain of causal events was my participation in a high profile extra curricular project to build the first direct drive gas-electric hybrid aircraft (permitted by my lack of part time job). That project helped me land a job upon graduation, which is truly a dream job. I work for and am a student at the National Test Pilot School. I'm working as a flight test engineer (FTE). I will receive an FTE certificate, similar to a professional license, and a Master's of Science. I get to do some really interesting work and fly in interesting aircraft and I look forward to where I go next!

Craig Milliard

2008 Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete

Student at National Test Pilot School

Jennifer Roberts

Receiving this award in 2010 was an honor and I was able to attended the ceremony the following two years as well because my father and grandfather got inducted into the hall of fame, I hope that one day I can follow in their footsteps and be a part of something so great.

With the help of this award I was able to have a great collegiate swimming career, I spent two years swimming at the University of Maryland, as a Terrapin. It was an incredible experience and it was great knowing that I had the support of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame and that they believed in me. After my sophomore year the new athletic director made some budget cuts and UMD was unable to continue to support the swimming and diving programs. Because of my love for the sport, I transferred in order to continue to pursue my swimming dreams. I currently attend the University of New Hampshire and will be graduating in May with a degree in Economics. In my career as a Wildcat I have had many achievements in the classroom and in the pool. I was named the America East Swimmer of the Week many times, and for a week in January of 2014 I was named the national Division I Swimmer of the Week for my performance in our meet against Yale. I concluded my collegiate career in Annapolis with a personal best time in the 200 fly, breaking the school record, and setting the ECAC and America East conference records. Overall, I could not have asked for a better swimming career. Although there were many ups and downs in my career, I believe that the hardships I went through are what made me an overall better athlete. With the help of this scholarship I was able to swim for an ACC school and be named All-American Honorable Mention in 2012, I also was able to attend the 2012 Olympic Trials in Omaha and swim the 200 butterfly, and the 200 individual medley. I also competed at the NCAA championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The memories that I have made I will never forget and none of it would have been possible without the support of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.

Jennifer Roberts

2010 Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete

Student-Athlete at the University of New Hampshire

Matthew Rosignol

The Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship monetary award was very helpful for me as I began my college career. The award played an important role in helping to fund the many unforeseen expenses that arise in college. I am extremely grateful that the Maine Sports Hall of Fame award was there for me at this critical time. (I do recall that I was able to meet Ted Williams, as he was there for Bud Leavitt, who was being inducted that year!)

Matthew Rossignol

1985 Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete

Current Social Studies Teacher at Madawaska High School and Girls Basketball Coach at Van Buren High School

Tim Ryan

Since receiving the scholarship in 1998 and following my graduation from Bowdoin, I have been fortunate to be involved with three professions - investment banking in New York, commercial banking in Boston and higher education in Maine. The recognition of my academic and athletic accomplishments that was associated with winning the scholarship has been of benefit to me as I've spoken with people regarding career opportunities, as it served as validation of my commitment to success across multiple interests. An organization such as the Maine Sports Hall of Fame has a considerable amount of respect in Maine and throughout the northeast and to be associated with the organization has been of considerable benefit.

I graduated from Bowdoin with a double major in Government and Legal Studies and Economics and began my professional career as an Analyst at The Carson Group, an investment banking consulting company, in New York. Following my time with The Carson Group, I moved to Boston to join Silicon Valley Bank, where I served as a Vice President, managing a portfolio of loans to venture backed technology companies. In 2005 I decided to pursue my passion for athletics and began a career in coaching and athletic administration, which has led to my current role as the Director of Athletics at Bowdoin. In 2011 I received a master's degree in higher education from Drexel University.

Tim Ryan

1998 Maine Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete

Current Athletic Director at Bowdoin College

Rayne Whitten

Dear Mr. Whitmore,

You know how sometimes it takes a hardship to make you realize how lucky you are? It seems like that is the way humans are bound to live and I am definitely one of them. I've just begun researching and filling out student loan information and I've come to the realization that you and the Maine Sports Hall of Fame have practically saved my life.

I received your kind letter and can't tell you how happy it made me. I'm honored to know that you've been keeping up with the student-athletes' careers in school and sports and even more honored to be able to say I am one of them. You mentioned my state championship with Cheverus and I just want to tell you how proud I am to have been able to share the Hall of Fame experience with Alex Logan. We were obviously on two different teams during the game, but with our prior friendship we were able to connect on a really different aspect than I normally experience with other teams. After the game, she told me how great of a game was in the purest and most accepting way. I have to attribute this admirable sportsmanship to her character, but I think it also has to do with us being recognized together. Thank you for allowing this friendship to spread and planting the seed of good sportsmanship for all to follow.

I can't begin to express how much $5,000 means to me, but I will say it has relieved a great deal of pressure in my home the past few months. But please don't think I only appreciate the award you granted me for the dollar amount, because it meant so much more to a girl from Waterboro, Maine. Simply being grouped alongside the outstanding and remarkable inductees has changed my view of life considerably. Not only am I a girl from Waterboro, but I am a representative of the town and I can show other people what an amazing place it is. Thank you for giving me the chance to shed light on my community because honestly without them, nothing I have accomplished would have been feasible.

The induction banquet was completely amazing and I almost had a heart attack when I marched out to the intense music and dinuned lights. I know people weren't standing and clapping for me, but it made an incredible impression, and I will never forget it. Also, since the award recipients were required to give a short speech, you unknowingly got me over the terminal speaking-in-front-of-crowds fear! I was so scared to address 700 people (and I don't doubt that you could tell from my speech), but it got me over the hump and J am so, so thankful. I gave the valedictorian speech at my graduation and I can't imagine shaking and butterflying like I did during the Hall of Fame Banquet in front of 3,000 of my community members and friends.

I have no doubt that Massabesic and Cheverus will continue their rivalry and high- intensity games in the future. I'm even more sure that I will miss being a part of it with all my heart. Have a great summer, and please continue to change people's lives!

Sincerely,
Rayne Whitten

Contact Us

Maine Sports Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 212
Kennebunk, ME 04043

Phone (207) 712-1748
INFOMSHOF

Our Mission

The Maine Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1972 for the purpose of: 1) appointing and bestowing recognition awards and scholarships to outstanding Maine high school scholar-athletes; and, 2) to formally honor and memorialize Maine athletes and sports figures who have brought distinction and honor to the state of Maine.

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