The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame: A History

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that recognizes the top basketball players coaches, and contributors in the state of Maine.

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame A History

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to honor the outstanding achievements of Maine’s basketball players coaches, and contributors. The Hall of Fame seeks to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball in the state of Maine.

The Hall of Fame is located in Bangor, Maine, and its exhibits are open to the public year-round. Visitors can view artifacts from Maine’s Basketball History including memorabilia from some of the state’s most famous players and teams.

The Hall of Fame also hosts various events throughout the year, such as clinics and camps for young players exhibition games featuring Maine’s top High School and collegiate teams, and induction ceremonies for new members.

The Early Years

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in 1962 by Portland Press Herald sports editor Nathaniel “Nat” Goodrich. The first induction ceremony was held on March 12, 1963, at the Portland Country Club, with six charter members: Charles “Chuck” Connors, Earle “Greasy” Neale, Adolph Rupp, James Naismith Claire Bee, and Phog Allen.

The Hall’s mission is to recognize and honor the achievements of those who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball in the state of Maine. Over the years, the Hall has inducted more than 200 players, coaches, contributors, and officials.

The Early Years (1963-1979)
In its early years, the Hall was headquartered in Portland and held its induction ceremonies there. In 1979, the Hall moved to Augusta and has been located there ever since.

In addition to Connors, Neale, Rupp, Naismith, Bee, and Allen, some of the other notable inductees from the early years include:
-Red Auerbach
-John Wooden
-Bill Russell
-Wilt Chamberlain
-Larry Bird

The First Inductees

In 2006, the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame inducted its first class: Bill Alfond, Joe Conforti, Barney Hanrahan, Jackie Lawlor and Bob Paquette.

Alfond is a former majority owner of the Boston Celtics Conforti coached high school basketball for nearly 40 years, winning 819 games. Hanrahan was a longtime referee who officiated more than 1,500 high school games. Lawlor was a high school and college player in the 1950s, later serving as an administrator at the University of Maine Paquette played on four NCAA tournament teams at UMaine in the 1960s and went on to have a long career as a high school coach.

The Hall’s Growth

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in 1987 by George J. Mitchell, a former U.S. senator from Maine. Originally housed in the Portland Press Herald building, the Hall moved to its current location on Congress Street in downtown Portland in 1996.

The Hall has experienced steady growth since its inception, with the number of inductees increasing each year. As of 2019, there are over 200 members of the Hall of Fame representing every county in Maine.

Notable Inductees

Since its inception in 1954, the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame has enshrined nearly 200 players, coaches and administrators who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball in the state of Maine. Here are just a few of the most notable inductees:

George J. Mitchell (inducted in 1976) – A native of Waterville, Mitchell played college basketball at Bowdoin College before going on to a successful career in law and politics. He served as a U.S. Senator from 1980 to 1995 and was appointed by President Clinton to chair the Northern Ireland Peace Talks, which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

Robert E. “Bob” Brown (inducted in 1978) – Brown was one of Maine’s all-time great high school Basketball Coaches leading his teams at Edward Little high school to 11 State Championships in 19 years. He was also an accomplished College Coach leading the University of Southern Maine to two NCAA Division III National Championships in 1991 and 1992.

John Bapst Memorial High School (inducted in 1982) – One of Maine’s most successful High School basketball programs John Bapst has won nine state championships since first competing in 1929. The school has also produced a number of notable players, including Hall of Famers Joe Ward and Steve Jarvis.

Joe Ward (inducted in 1984) – A three-time All-American at Colby College Ward is widely considered one of the best players ever to come out of Maine. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 and his number 42 jersey is retired by Colby.

Steve Jarvis (inducted in 2001) – Jarvis had a successful career as a player and coach at John Bapst Memorial High School leading the Crusaders to four State Championships as a Head Coach He also served as an Assistant Coach at the University of Maine for 20 years, helping the Black Bears win five conference championships and make three NCAA Tournament appearances.

The Hall Today

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame is located in the Governor Curtis Memorial Gymnasium on the campus of Husson University in Bangor, Maine. The Hall recognizes the contributions of those who have made basketball an important part of their lives in the state of Maine.

The Hall features a wide variety of exhibits that highlight the history of basketball in Maine. These exhibits include a basketball court a replica of a Aroostook League game, and a timeline of the sport in the state. The Hall also features a store where visitors can purchase souvenirs and memorabilia.

Looking to the Future

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame (MBHOF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the game of basketball in the state of Maine. The MBHOF was founded in 2003 by a group of basketball enthusiasts who saw the need to honor the state’s rich Basketball History and to inspire future generations of players.

The MBHOF is located in Portland, Maine, and its mission is to “preserve and promote the game of basketball in the state of Maine through education, exhibition, and recognition.” The MBHOF hosts an annual induction ceremony to honor those who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball in Maine. The MBHOF also maintains a museum that houses exhibits on the history of basketball in Maine.

The MBHOF is governed by a board of directors made up of basketball stakeholders from around the state. The board meets quarterly to discuss the business of the hall and to plan for its future. The MBHOF is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

Maine’s Basketball Legacy

Maine has a rich basketball history dating back to the early days of the sport. The state has produced many Great players and teams over the years, and the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame was established to honor those who have made significant contributions to the game.

The Hall of Fame is located in Bangor, Maine, and was founded in 1966. It is dedicated to preserving the history of basketball in Maine and honoring those who have made significant contributions to the game. The Hall of Fame promotes the sport of basketball through its educational programs, exhibits, and events.

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame inducts both players and coaches who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball in Maine. Inductees are nominated by a committee of basketball experts and are voted on by the Hall of Fame Board of Directors. To be eligible for induction, nominees must be at least 30 years old and must have been retired from playing or coaching for at least five years.

The Hall of Fame presently has over 200 members, including such basketball legends as Bob Cousy, Red Rolfe, Jabari Parker, Kelsey Grammer, Tom Gola, Bill Russell Connie Macklin, Jimmy Butler Oscar Robertson Wayman Tisdale, and Ralph Sampson.

The Hall’s Impact

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Bangor, Maine. The mission of the hall is “to recognize and honor outstanding achievement in basketball, to promote the game of basketball, and to educate the public about the role basketball has played in Maine history.”

The hall was founded in 2003, and since then, it has inducted over 170 players, coaches, and contributors. The hall also offers a number of programs and events that are open to the public, such as clinics, camps, and an annual awards banquet.

The hall has had a positive impact on the state of Maine. It has helped to raise awareness of the game of basketball and its role in Maine history. It has also served as a source of pride for the people of Maine.

10)Basketball in Maine

Maine has a rich history of basketball, dating back to the early days of the sport. The first organized game in Maine was played in 1892, and the state has been home to many great players and teams over the years. The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in 1963 to honor those who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball in the state.