Wednesday, September 15, 2004

                       USM Husky Hall of Fame to Induct Six
                Athletic Department to Present Three Special Awards

     GORHAM, Maine  -- Five former student-athletes and one long time staff member 
comprise the Class of 2004 who will be inducted into the University of Southern 
Maine Husky Hall of Fame at a banquet this Friday, September 17, at the Kenneth 
Brooks Student Center on the USM Gorham campus.  The Husky Hall of Fame banquet 
and induction ceremonies are part of the USM Homecoming Weekend (September 17-19) 
activities.
     This year's Hall of Fame inductees include former Little East Conference 
men's basketball Player of the Year Tim Bonsant, Class of 2004;  All-Little East 
women's basketball player Cynde (LaPierre) Laband, Class of 1995;  Anna (Struck) 
Love, a regional All-American field hockey player and women's basketball standout, 
Class of 1995;  Richard McSorley, the all-time leading goal scorer in the history 
of the men's ice hockey program, class of 1993;  former All-American baseball 
player Michael Rutherford, Class of 1987; and long time athletic department staff 
member and former baseball coach David "Dusty" Drew.
     The USM Department of Athletics also is using the occasion to present three 
special departmental awards.  The 2004 Richard A. "Doc" Costello Special 
Achievement Award is being bestowed upon Reggie Grant for his long service to 
basketball officiating in the New England region.  The award, named for the 
retired USM Director of Athletics, is given annually to graduates of the 
institution who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to student-
athletes and athletics.
     This year's recipient of the David F. Drew III Service Award is Brian Johnson 
for his dedicated support and services to the sport of track and field.  The Drew 
Award named for the longtime coach, instructor, trainer and equipment manager, is 
given to individuals who distinguish themselves with volunteer service to the 
athletic department.
     The Clifford O.T. Weiden Award for 2004 will be presented to Marcus Day and 
Seltzer and Rydholm Inc. for that firm's generous support of the USM athletic 
programs.  The Weiden Award, named for the retired university coach and 
administrator, is presented annually to individuals or businesses for their 
contributions of special talents and time to the university.
     The evening's festivities begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m.  Dinner and the 
induction ceremonies follow at 7:15 p.m.  Tickets for the event are $30.  For 
tickets or more information, please call the USM Department of Athletics at 207-
780-5430.
     One of the most prolific players in the history of the USM men's basketball 
program, Bonsant finished his career with 1616 points and presently ranks fifth on 
the Huskies all-time scoring list.  In addition to being named the LEC Player of 
the Year for the 1990-91 season, he earned NABC All-New England and Division III 
All-ECAC honors.
     Still ranked in the top ten in seven career statistics categories, including 
a school record 150 blocked shots, Bonsant led the Huskies in scoring during the 
1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons and in rebounding three straight years.  Over his 
four-year career, Bonsant helped the Huskies to an 85-32 record.
     During the 1988-89 season when the Huskies advanced to the NCAA Division III 
Final Four, Bonsant averaged 13.8 points and 8.0 rebounds a game.  He followed the 
next season with career highs in scoring (19.8 ppg) and rebounding (9.8 rpg), and 
another trip to the NCAA regional tournament.  He finished his career with a third 
straight trip to the NCAA tournament in 1991 while averaging 16.6 ppg and 8.7 rpg.
     Laband played two seasons for the Huskies women's basketball program, earning 
All-Little East Conference honors in the 1992-93.  She averaged 14.3 points and 
7.3 rebounds in 30 games during the 1991-92 season.  A year later she averaged 9.8 
points and 4.7 rebounds in 25 games.  In her two seasons, Laband scored 673 points 
and hauled down 336 rebounds.
     A transfer from Merrimack College, Laband was one of the quickest, most 
athletic, small forwards in the history of the program.  A left-handed shooter, 
she still ranks among the top 20 in career free throws attempted (236) and made 
(171), and is eighth in free throw percentage (.725).  Her 428 points during the 
1991-92 season is the 18th highest single season total in the program's history.
     A two-sport athlete who played four years of field hockey and basketball, 
Love helped both programs go to a postseason tournament four times.  The field 
hockey team, which compiled a 52-18-5 record during the 1990-1993 seasons, went to 
two NCAA tournaments and two ECAC tournaments.  The basketball team advanced to 
the NCAA tournament three times and won the 1994 ECAC New England tournament.
     Love earned regional All-American honors in field hockey during her senior 
season after scoring 21 points on 10 goals and one assist.  She enjoyed her career 
best season the previous in 1992 when she had 25 points on 12 goals and one 
assist.  At the start of the 2004 season, she ranked ninth all-time in goals (27) 
and points (59).
     On the hardwood, Love played in 106 career games, averaging 6.7 points and 
4.8 rebounds per game.  She had her best season in 1993-94 when she averaged 10.4 
points and 8.1 rebounds in 29 games.  During her career, she scored 712 points and 
is one of 22 players to grab 500 or more rebounds (511).  
     The all-time leading goal scorer since the men's ice hockey team was renewed 
in 1985, McSorley lit the lamp 59 times in 77 career games over three seasons.  He 
also had 39 assists for a total of 98 points, the second highest total by a USM 
men's player since 1985.
     The school's single-season record holder for goals and points scored (29 
goals and 40 points in 1992-93), McSorley helped the Huskies to their finest 
season in the program's history as the team compiled an 18-9-1 record and earned a 
spot in the 1993 ECAC North/Central/South championship game.  McSorley is the only 
player since 1985 to score 20 or more goals in a season, reaching that milestone 
in the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons.
     One of 15 players in the history of the baseball program to earn All-American 
honors, Rutherford played in 109 games over three seasons, including the Huskies' 
1985 team that advanced to the NAIA World Series.  In addition to his All-American 
honors in 1986, he was named to the All-Northeast Region and All-New England 
teams.
     After leading the team in hitting (.390) in 1985, Rutherford batted .406 with 
15 doubles, one triple, three home runs and 38 RBI in the 1986 season.  He also 
compiled a 2-1 record with a 2.53 ERA in 12 pitching appearances.  In his final 
season (1987), he hit .360 with 11 doubles, two triples, four homers and 28 RBI.  
On the mound, he was 4-2 with a 2.96 ERA in 14 appearances.
     Rutherford, who ranks ninth all-time in batting average, finished his career 
with a .384 average, 32 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 97 RBI, and a 7-3 
pitching record with a 2.95 ERA.  He is among the top 25 in career hits and 
doubles.
     Drew, who has served the athletic department in various capacities since 
1972, coached the baseball program for 12 seasons (1973, 1975-1985).  His teams 
compiled a 206-143 record (.590) highlighted by five trips to the NAIA Area 
tournament and a berth in the NAIA World Series in his final season.
     The 1985 team had a 26-7 record, including a 19-game winning streak that 
culminated in the team winning the NAIA Area Five tournament to clinch the world 
series berth.  In 11 of his 12 seasons as head coach, Drew's teams compiled a .500 
or better record.
     During his tenure, Drew has also served as an assistant men's basketball 
coach, athletic trainer, equipment manager, faculty member and academic 
coordinator for the athletic department.