Six inducted into Foxcroft Academy Athletic Hall of Fame
DOVER-FOXCROFT — As part of Homecoming festivities, the seventh class of the Foxcroft Academy Athletic Hall of Fame was formally inducted on Oct. 6. Over the last six years, 44 former Ponies have been enshrined and the Class of 2017 includes six new members and the following information was read aloud during halftime of the football game:
From the Class of 1972, Jere White was the all-around leader for the teams he played for throughout his high school years. He was a student-athlete, who was a student of every game he played. Jere was a standout athlete in all three major sports at the time. He was the quarterback of the Pony football team coached by Dewaine Craig, and while his team didn’t see great win numbers, Jere was always a leader his teammates could count on. He played basketball all four years, and his 1971-72 team was the start of a great time period for FA basketball. They eventually lost to Schenck in the Class B quarterfinals, but the building blocks were established. It came as no surprise that Jere was the starting catcher on the FA baseball team. Being catcher meant being the coach on the field, something Jere excelled at. His hard work and determination were a direct quality inherited from his mother, longtime FA faculty member Priscilla White. Jere joins his brother Bob, as well as father-in-law Jack Anderson, brother-in-law Dave “Hawk” Anderson, and son Danny, current Foxcroft Academy CFO & football coach, as a member of the Pony Hall of Fame.
From the Class of 1982, Joe Knapp was a student-athlete during a strong time for Foxcroft Academy athletics. In the fall, Joe was a four-year varsity football player. He was a member of the All-LTC football team as a running back, defensive back and linebacker during his last three years of play. He was also voted captain during his senior year. He played for longtime coach Gary Worthing during the days of preseason triple sessions. He, along with his teammates, started the uptick in FA football during the early 1980s. On the basketball court, Joe excelled during his four years. He was team captain, and his teams made the playoffs during his freshman and sophomore years. They lost in the EM finals that year to Bucksport. As a baseball player, Joe brought his talents to the field, and played on the 1980 EM championship team, the first in Foxcroft history. Outside of sports, Joe was involved in Student Council, and Varsity Club. Joe wishes to thank all of his coaches, Gary Worthing, Dave Clement and Rusty Clukey for their patience and dedication.
From the Class of 1982, George Murray was an outstanding athlete during his four-year run at Foxcroft Academy. Like his teammate, and fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Knapp, George was a mainstay on the FA football team. George excelled at being a leader, and as quarterback he did just that. He was voted MVP of the football team during his senior season, one that saw the Ponies to a 3-4-1 record, but they were building big things for future Ponies. He was also an All-LTC selection. On the basketball court, George was selected as team captain his junior year, he was MVP during his final two years, and he was a McDonald’s All-Star in 1982. The Ponies made the tournament in two of his years playing. He was also a four-year member of the FA baseball team, one that won the 1980 EM championship. George was a well rounded FA student. In addition to athletics, George was a member of Student Council, Key Club, Varsity Club and was Homecoming King in 1981-82. George credits coaches Gary Worthing, Rusty Clukey, and Dave Clement, for being a tremendous influence on his life at school and beyond. He also wants to thank his teachers, administrators, and friends for making FA a special place to be.
From the Class of 1998, C.J. Ewer made his mark on the field and on the mat during his days at Foxcroft Academy. C.J. helped the Ponies on the gridiron to two straight Class C Eastern Maine championships, as well as a state championship in 1996. He was a leader on the offensive and defensive sides of the football. He worked tremendously hard in the weight room, and was rewarded with the Most Improved Player Award during his senior season. As good as he was on the football field, the mat is where he made his home. C.J. was a multiple state championship award winner during a resurgence of FA wrestling in the mid to late 1990s, lead by coach Gary Wakeland. In addition to individual state honors, C.J. eclipsed the vaunted 100 individual wins mark, and had multiple conference and regional championships to his name. In the classroom, C.J. was a peer mediator and was a member of JMG.
From the Class of 1998, Bo Kennedy, much like fellow Hall of Famer C.J. Ewer, was a standout athlete on the football field and on the wrestling mat. He was a cornerback and halfback that helped the Ponies win back-to-back Eastern Maine Class C football championships in 1996 and 1997, and helped the Ponies to the Class C state championship in 1996, with a victory over Old Orchard Beach. On the wrestling mat, Bo helped captain his team to many wins, and individually was a multiple state championship award winner in the 140-pound weight class. He was also a winner of several conference and regional individual honors, and had over 100 career wins. He was a member of the spring track team during his freshman and sophomore years. His contributions to the Pony grapplers are still felt today. Outside of the sports circle, Bo was a member of the concert band, state science fair, French Club and NHS. Bo says that his wrestling and track coach, Gary Wakeland, had a profound impact on his career at FA and into his adult life.
From the Class of 2005, Tamlyn Frederick was never too far away from competition. During her four years at FA, she was a star field hockey player under head coach Gene Philpot. She was a first-team all conference player, and helped her team to the playoffs every year. She also ran cross-country in the fall. Tamlyn helped her team win a state championship, placing fifth overall in Eastern Maine meet, and making into the top 15 in the state meet. he was a competitive swimmer for the Ponies, holding records in the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle, as well as placing in multiple events during her years at FA. She was also a member of the track and field team in the spring. She won the Ernest “Lap” Lary Award her senior year, and was a PVC scholar-athlete. In college, Tamlyn was a member of the Bowdoin field hockey team that went to four straight NCAA Division III Final Fours, winning the national championship the last two years. She credits Gene Philpot, George Rolleston and Ric Hoffman for helping her become a better athlete and student at Foxcroft Academy and beyond.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
FA ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017 — Four of six 2017 inductees into the Foxcroft Academy Athletic Hall of Fame were present for the ceremony at halftime of the Homecoming football game on Oct. 6. From left are Tamlyn Frederick ‘05, C.J. Ewer ‘98, Joe Knapp ‘82 and George Murray ‘82. The other two members of the Class of 2017 are Jere White ‘72 and Bo Kennedy ‘98.