ORONO – University of Maine redshirt quarterback Lee St. Hilaire of Winthrop, the 2001 James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy winner, reportedly left the Black Bear football team and quit school sometime last week citing personal reasons.

“He just decided trying to play Division I college football and trying to handle school was too much for him and he was afraid his academics were going to suffer,” said Black Bear associate head coach and offensive coordinator Bob Wilder. “I don’t think he’ll be going somewhere else to play football. He indicated to us that he wanted to get an education quickly so he could get a job to help his family.”

St. Hilaire left the team Oct. 22 and told team officials he would likely attend a trade school if he did decide to further his education, Wilder said. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound quarterback was a redshirt in his freshman year and was having a strong fall practice season with the University of Maine football squad.

The Fitzpatrick Trophy is awarded to the state’s best high school senior football player.

In his final high school season, he completed 140 of 205 passes for 2,382 yards and 21 touchdowns with only three interceptions. St. Hilaire finished his high school career having completed 63 percent of his passes, good for 8,272 yards. Both rank him among the best in U.S. schoolboy football history.

Knowing that he would likely be competing with at least three other quarterbacks for playing time next season as the team seeks to replace departing senior Jake Eaton may have also contributed to the decision to end his college football career, Wilder said.

St. Hilaire was unavailable for comment.

“It’s a very difficult thing for us as a team. Everybody really liked Lee. He had a very infectious way about him and all the kids are sad to see him go,” Wilder said. “I am disappointed to lose him, but I’m not disappointed in the reasons he chose to leave.”