Alfond enriches world of sports

If Harold Alfond had never lived, there would be no beautiful athletic facilities bearing his name at the University of Maine in Orono, Colby College and Thomas College in Waterville, Rollins College in Florida, and Boston College.

So, it’s easy to see why Alfond, whose millions of dollars in donations have also gone to the Boys Clubs of Maine, the YMCA, and Goodwill Schools, is an obvious choice for induction this year to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.

Thousands of fans and athletes have benefited from his generosity.

The question is, why did Alfond, who will be inducted to the HofF with eight other athletic greats Sunday at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland, decide to spend his millions on promoting sports?

“I believe if we ever make peace in the world, it will be from some form of athletics,” answered Alfond, 78, who made his fortune as head of Dexter Shoe. “It will be from the Olympics or something. That’s the only way we get countries together.”

Alfond came by his firm belief in the positive power of spor Alfond came by his firm belief in the positive power of sports beginning with his own high school athletic career in Massachusetts. He was a basketball player, quarterback of the football team, and the baseball team’s leading hitter at Swampscott High and, later, played at St. John’s Prep in Danvers.

“I think athletics does a lot of things for people,” said Alfond, who resides in Waterville. “It shows them teamwork and how to get along with each other. General MacArthur said he never picked anyone to do an important job if he didn’t have an athletic background.”

Asked of which achievement in his life that dealt with athletics he is most proud, Alfond didn’t hesitate with his answer.

“I think it’s helping the young, kids form the YMCA, the Boys Club and the Goodwill Schools. Helping them be good citizens, getting them interested in athletics before they get on the streets. That gives me the biggest kick,” he said.

As for entering the state’s Sports Hall of Fame, Alfond said he is deeply honored.

“It’s right near the top for me. The Hall of Fame for Maine…. I felt pretty good for a long time when I found out,” he said.

Also entering the Hall with Alfond are inductees Lisa Blais Manning, a former women’s basketball star at Westbrook High and Old Dominion University; former New York Yankees manager Carl “Stump” Merrill of Brunswick, former Yale football great Harold “Ed” Woodsum of South Portland, former Portland sports writer Dick Doyle, and 1928 Olympic javelin hurler Arthur Sager of Gardiner.

Posthumous inductees are former Bangor Daily News sports editor Owen Osborne, former Boston Braves baseball player Bill “Midget” Jones of Old Town and Millinocket, and Bowdoin graduate and 1928 bobsled Olympic gold medalist Geoffrey Mason.

Tickets for the 5 p.m. ceremonies and banquet can be obtained by calling 883-2131 days or 883-5021 evenings.