Gilbert runs option, transfers to Husson Foxcroft Academy star leaves UMaine

BANGOR – Bobby Gilbert has no doubt he could eventually have earned playing time on the University of Maine football team.

The former Foxcroft Academy star also realized he wasn’t patient enough to wait the year or two it might have taken him to achieve that goal.

Gilbert, who had planned to attend Division I-AA UMaine this fall, has instead transferred to Division III Husson College in Bangor.

“I just need to be on the field, that’s what it was all about,” Gilbert said Monday night after taking part in Husson’s first preseason practice at the John Winkin Complex.

Gilbert was considered a “preferred walk-on” at UMaine and was not receiving athletic scholarship money. He reported to the Black Bears Aug. 8 and spent 11 days in preseason camp before leaving the team last Thursday.

“It’s the fact when you’re a walk-on athlete, you’ve got to wait your turn big time,” Gilbert explained. “There were really good athletes ahead of me, juniors and seniors. It was the fact that I had to sit on the sideline a lot.”

Husson athletic director and head football coach Gabby Price said Gilbert is eligible to compete immediately. Price praised UMaine officials for helping expedite the transfer.

“The university has been phenomenal in this thing, making it work for Bobby,” Price said.

“They did a terrific job for him,” he added.

Gilbert had been projected as a strong safety at UMaine and Price said he would likely fill a similar role as a defensive end at Husson.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder from Beaver Cove was appreciative to have been given the opportunity to play at UMaine. However, he said deciding to transfer lifted a huge emotional burden off his shoulders.

“[UMaine’s] a great school with great coaches, but it didn’t feel right from the beginning,” said Gilbert, who decided to transfer after repeated talks with his parents, Henry and Jeri-Ann Gilbert. “I wanted to make sure I was going to be in a position where I was going to be happy for the next three or four years. There’s no bad feelings.”

Gilbert amassed impressive credentials during his three seasons at Foxcroft Academy.

Last fall, he was a finalist for the coveted Fitzpatrick Trophy, given annually to Maine’s top senior football player, scholar and citizen, regardless of class.

As a senior, Gilbert set school records while rushing for 1,971 yards and scoring 37 touchdowns. He helped the Ponies post a 9-2 record and reach the Eastern Maine Class C title game for the third straight season.

Defensively, Gilbert racked up a team-leading 1,054 tackles.

Price said Husson was aware of Gilbert, but did not recruit him extensively because he was considering I-AA schools such as UMaine, Rhode Island, Albany and New Hampshire.

Despite having not played football prior to attending Foxcroft, he rushed for approximately 3,500 yards in 35 varsity games (100 yards per game). He transferred from Greenville High School, which does not field a football team.

During his junior season at Foxcroft, Gilbert eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing and helped the Ponies annex the Class C state championship with a perfect 12-0 record.

Gilbert twice earned Big East Conference Class B first-team all-star recognition. He was a standout sprinter for the FA track team and also played baseball during his senior year.