Bates College swimmer Phil Barr of Lincoln, R.I., who made an inspirational return to swimming this past season despite damaged lungs he suffered during the 2003 Station night club fire in West Warwick, R.I., was named the recipient of the male 2005 NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

“I have seen courage, compassion, selflessness and determination displayed in many ways over the years, but never more than what Phil Barr displayed at Bates,” said Bates coach Dana Mulholland.

Barr suffered burns as well as lung damage in the fire that claimed the lives of 100 people on Feb. 20, 2003. He was placed in a drug-induced coma for 21 days and was released with about 45-percent lung capacity. He spent a year of intense rehabilitation before returning to Bates last September.

He had just 87 percent lung capacity when he rejoined the swim team and competed despite more physical suffering.

“Swimming induced tremendous coughing and discomfort daily. Yet Phil never talked of his plight and he never expected special treatment. He never made excuses. He attended all of our practices, including double sessions during break, and our meets and he trained as hard as anyone on the team,” said Mulholland.

Barr was an excellent teammate, confidant, leader and role model, according to Mulholland.

Barr graduated with an economics degree and he now works as an investment bank analyst at JP Morgan in New York City.

“I am thrilled by Phil’s award because he embodies all aspects of this honor,” said Bates director of athletics Suzanne Coffey. “In a sports culture that too often puts the individual before the team, Barr’s dedication, respect and selflessness encompasses the definition of student-athlete.”

The NCAA Sportsmanship Award honors student-athletes who have demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility.

Ainsclough named NU coach

Bowdoin College men’s soccer coach Brian Ainsclough, who guided the Polar Bears to a 57-19-9 record in his five years, has been named the head soccer coach at Northeastern University.

He was the 2002 NESCAC Coach of the Year and his 2003 team qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament.

“Brian is a wonderful coach and colleague,” said Bowdoin athletic director Jeff Ward. “He has done a tremendous job in building our program.”

Madeira, Wheaton earn awards

Southwest Harbor’s Sarah Madeira, who attended Mount Desert Island High School, is one of five Wheaton College (Mass.) women’s tennis players named to the 2005 Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Scholar-Athlete program.

The women’s team was one of 56 NCAA Division III institutions tabbed for the ITA All-Academic Team award. A program must obtain a cumulative 3.20 grade-point average or better for one full academic year to be eligible for the award.

Madeira has a 3.62 GPA while pursuing a degree in studio art.