Hoop hall of fame fundraiser slated
By Jon Gulliver
Special to The Star-Herald
FORT FAIRFIELD — Although it will be located in Bangor, Aroostook County will be well represented in the proposed Maine Basketball Hall of Fame. At least that’s the claim of Skip Chappelle, who along with Peter Webb, has been the driving force behind establishing the hall.
Chappelle, a former University of Maine basketball coach and basketball star, was in Fort Fairfield on June 22 to discuss the hall and promote an upcoming golf tournament at the Aroostook Valley Country Club. The inaugural Maine Basketball Hall of Fame golf scramble will be held on Friday, Aug. 5. The proceeds of the tournament will go to the hall as it gears up for an anticipated opening in two years, when construction on the new Bangor auditorium is complete.
Star-Herald photo/Jon Gulliver
SKIP CHAPPELLE was in Fort Fairfield last week to discuss the proposed Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.
According to Chappelle, this long overdue undertaking will record the 100-year rich history of Maine’s high school, collegiate and town team/semi-pro basketball as well as identify and recognize the outstanding teams, players, coaches, officials, athletic administrators, media members and other organizations and persons who have made a significant contribution to Maine basketball. Also of note, any high school or collegiate coach with 25 years or more of service in the state will automatically go into the hall, regardless of record.
Chappelle, who also coached at Fort Fairfield High School, adds the project is really starting to come together. “I get excited about this. People are already dropping off scrapbooks and letters,” he said.
On hand to hear Chappelle talk about the plans for the hall and tell a few stories about his many years connected to the sport were about 40 youngsters at Fort Fairfield High School who attend the Tigers basketball camp. One story in particular Chappelle used to inspire the kids was how Rick Carlisle, head coach of the world champion Dallas Mavericks, was not recruited to any Division One school except for Maine. Carlisle went to U-M, got noticed, moved on to the University of Virginia, played for the Celtics and now is a highly respected coach. To the kids Chappelle said, “Don’t give up, no matter what stage you are in with your playing career. Don’t give up.”
Memorabilia, enthusiasm and ideas are not in short supply when it comes to establishing the hall of fame, what is needed is additional funding-that’s where the golf tournament can help.
The tournament committee is looking for 36 teams to enter the scramble. The entry fee is $50 dollars per person and includes a steak or chicken barbecue. More than $4000 in prizes will be awarded to the top two gross teams and top eight net teams. Golfers will also have a chance to win a 2011 Ford Focus from Griffeth Ford-Lincoln-Honda as a hole-in-one prize.
Interested golfers can contact Larry Gardner at 551-5001 for more information or check out the hall of fame website at www.mainebasketballhalloffame.com.
