Husson University’s golf program is off to its best start in program history, as the Eagles have won their first seven tournaments this fall.

This weekend, Husson will host the Husson Invitational at Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono.

The two-day tourney will feature eight teams and gets under way with an 11 a.m. shotgun start Sunday followed by an 8 a.m. teeoff Monday.

Husson, which recently captured the USM Invitational with a team score of 301, boasts a team stroke average of 302, and tied a school record in its season opener with a 285 at Presque Isle Country Club.

Ten Maine golfers lead the Eagles, who have had five different medalists in the six tourneys.

Leading the way are Mike Hersey of Presque Isle, Chris Hamel of Waterville, John Ellis of Belfast, Presque Isle’s Chris Coffin, Kevin Byrne, Josh Gallagher and Matt Loubier of Winslow, Ben Estabrook of Bangor, Old Town’s Adam Fournier, and Ed Meo of Hampden.

Hamel has two medalist honors to his credit, with a two-day total of 152 at the State of Maine Championship and a 73 at the USM Invitational.

Maine’s Canary semifinalist

University of Maine senior offensive lineman Ryan Canary was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy and a candidate for a 2008 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award.

The Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.

The awards are presented by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Canary, a native of Point Pleasant, N.J., is in his third consecutive season as a starting center for the Black Bears.

The Draddy winner will receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship, and the recipient will be announced at the NFF’s Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 in New York. A total distribution of $300,00 in scholarships will be handed out that night.

UMaine hockey bus trips planned

The Friends of Maine Hockey, in conjunction with Cyr Northstar Tours, is putting on two bus trips for the 2008-09 men’s hockey season.

The first trip is scheduled for Nov. 14-15 for the series against Providence College and the second Jan. 24-25 for the Boston College series.

Departure time from Orono for the Nov. 14 trip is 11 a.m. and includes stops in Bangor, Waterville and Portland. Trips includes roundtrip motorcoach, one night’s lodging and tickets to both games.

Rates range from $212 to $257 depending on occupancy at the hotel in Providence. A $50 deposit is due at the time of booking to confirm reservations while final payments are due Oct. 15.

The bus will return to Orono after the Saturday night game.

The bus for Boston College will depart Orono Jan. 24 at 11 a.m., making the same stops. Rates are $218 to $299, depending on occupancy at the hotel. Final payments are due Dec. 12.

For reservations and information, contact Cyr Northstar Tours at 1-800-244-2335 or 207-827-2010. Checks should be made out to Cyr Northstar Tours.

Horr new St. Joseph’s swim coach

Rick Horr has been named the new men’s and women’s swimming coach at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish.

The Portland native and 1996 Deering High graduate has coached at the University of New England in Biddeford and at Deering High.

Horr’s Deering teams compiled a 44-8-1 record and won three Class A state championships.