FARMINGTON – The 12th class of inductees into the University of Maine at Farmington Athletics Hall of Fame will be honored on Oct. 25 in the university’s North Dining Hall at 6 p.m.
Headlined by longtime coach Bob Leib, the class includes four of his former student-athletes: Jeff Neal ’91, John Ryan ’91, Gail Sanborn ’95 and Rebecca Vaughan ’97 Walker.
“Every Hall of Fame event is a special experience that we look forward to,” said Director of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation Julie Davis. “This one will be extraordinary. Inducting Coach Leib, along with a group of student-athletes who all played for him should create the opportunity to reconnect with a large cross section of former UMF student-athletes.”
Leib retired from coaching this year, but will remain in a teaching and administrative capacity in the fall of 2008 and work on special projects for the athletics department and development until the spring of 2010. In four sports and more than three decades, Leib accumulated more than 800 victories at Farmington. He holds a winning record in all four – baseball (134-129-1), softball (271-145), men’s soccer (260-94-34) and women’s soccer (151-63-16).
“I am excited to join an elite group,” said Leib when informed of the UMF Athletics Hall of Fame nomination earlier this year. “It’s always exciting to see my players get in. They are the ones who built things here.”
Neal manned the pipes for the UMF men’s soccer team from 1987-90. He allowed 44 goals with 379 saves during his four-year tenure with the Beavers. His save mark stands second all-time in school history. A two-time captain of the Beavers, Neal helped UMF to an 11-4 mark in 1990. Neal resides in Buxton.
Ryan captained the Beaver baseball team in 1991, leading UMF to one of its most successful campaigns in school history at 16-8. He is third in school history in strikeouts (139) and fourth in wins (14) and earned-run average at 3.75. Ryan resides in Gulfport, Miss.
A three-sport athlete, Sanborn shined on the court and the field for the Beavers in women’s volleyball, women’s basketball and softball. In women’s volleyball, Sanborn captained the 1993 squad to a 20-12 record and received all-conference accolades. In softball, she received district honors and her single season batting average record still stands at UMF. Sanborn resides in Portland.
Walker stands as the premier softball pitcher in UMF history. She maintains career records in wins, strikeouts and earned-run average. Walker resides in Plymouth.
The University of Maine at Farmington Athletics Hall of Fame’s first class was inducted in 1994. The group features 55 former student-athletes, coaches and administrators as well as five full teams.
The induction event will include hors d’oeuvres, dinner and a program. Registration forms are available at athletics.umf.maine.edu or by calling (207) 778-7147.
