BANGOR – Whether choosing a pair of shoes or a college, Colby Horne knows the importance of a good fit.

Since he was 15, Horne has worked at Colburn’s Shoe Store on Main Street in Belfast. The business, owned by his father, Brian Horne, has operated at the same location since 1832.

Colburn’s, which has been in the Horne family for some 70 years, bills itself as the oldest shoe store in America.

“You can tell a lot about people’s personalities from how they choose their shoes,” said Colby Horne, who knows comfort is the No. 1 consideration when selecting footwear.

Comfortable is exactly what Horne has been as a member of the Husson College football team. The former Belfast High School standout is gearing up for his senior football season with the realization it will be his last.

“I’m just hoping for good results, to have a great time,” Horne said. “I think we have the opportunity for a spectacular season. I feel good knowing this will be the last team that I’ll play with.”

Horne has the distinction of being with the Husson program since coach Gabby Price started building it from the ground up in 2002. During the first season, the Eagles didn’t have a field, a schedule or many players.

“We had like 30 kids on the team,” Horne recalled. “We had maybe an hour-long practice three times a week for four weeks and then we had a little scrimmage at the end on this amazing, brand-new practice field (which is now the softball field). It was a big deal for all of us.”

A lot has changed since those early days. This season, Husson has 115 players in training camp. That means stiff competition for playing time, but even more optimism about the team’s prospects of becoming a consistent winner.

As an example of the program’s growth, Horne pointed to the Eagles’ accomplishments in the weight room, the hub of any football program.

“The weights we were lifting (in 2002) at our first max-out (lifting the most weight possible), that’s what we start with now,” Horne chuckled. “The improvement’s just been amazing.”

Horne is one of the veterans in Husson’s wide receiver corps. He had a solid sophomore year in 2003, then played only three games last fall before suffering a broken collarbone in practice that ended his season.

“Last year we were throwing the ball very well,” Price said. “Then, when he got hurt, we lost some depth and I attribute some of our poor passing games at the end to losing Colby.”

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Horne was forced to make the transition from running back to wide receiver at Husson. He was a wingback and defensive back for coach Butch Arthers’ successful teams at Belfast High.

“In high school we just pounded the ball; we never threw it,” said Horne, who has developed into a steady receiver for the Eagles.

“Colby should be one of the top four receivers that we have,” Price said. “He’s been the best blocking wide receiver that we’ve had, he runs good patterns and he has very good speed.”

While it was difficult to sit out most of last season and to work his way back, Horne can’t wait to get back on the field.

Horne, who was chosen as a game captain before his injury, relishes his role as one of Husson’s senior leaders.

“I think a lot of the kids look to me for advice just because they know I’ve been here for four years now,” Horne said. “That’s my nature, to be vocal and help people out.”

Horne, who is a physical education major, continues to be a charismatic spokesman and a positive example for the Husson program.

“He’s what a Division III football player should be,” Price said. “He’s got things in the proper perspective. More than anything else, he has great balance in life. He has fun, he’s a very good student and he also does a great job in football.”

For Horne, Husson has been the perfect fit. And he is confident the football program, like a pair of well-broken-in shoes, will only get better with time.

“This program’s only going up and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Horne said. “I’m very optimistic and excited. I think we’re going to impress a lot of people.”