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A long-time University of Maine professor has been nominated for a distinguished service award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
Walter Abbott, an associate professor of kinesiology and physical education at UMaine, was one of 14 people nationwide – and one of four from outside the field of athletic administration – to receive the award.
“No one has done more advising of both new and experienced coaches in terms of dealing with the strategies of competition, how to help young athletes become better players and better people,” said Dean Robert Cobb of the UMaine College of Education and Human Development. “This is a great tribute to a superb coach.”
The distinguished service award is presented annually to recognize length of service, special accomplishments and contributions to interscholastic athletics.
Abbott has been teaching and coaching at UMaine since 1960. He helped to develop the university’s online coaching eligibility course for the Maine Center for Sport and Coaching.
He also was part of a statewide select panel that helped draft the Sports Done Right report, which serves as a national model for sustaining a good learning environment for interscholastic and youth sports.
Abbott received an undergraduate degree in resource economics in 1958 and a master’s degree in education from UMaine. In 1960, Abbott became an instructor of physical education and was an assistant football coach. He became the Black Bear’s head football coach in 1966, a title he held for nine years before moving into full-time teaching and establishing a campus-wide physical fitness program.
“Walt is dedicated to kids in the university and high school students in the state. I’ve never met someone so passionate [about what he does],” said Karen Brown, who was a student and advisee of Abbott’s. Brown now directs the Maine Center for Sport and Coaching.
According to the NIAAA Web site, the National Federation of High School board of directors selects eight athletic administrators – one from each of the eight sections – to receive the NFHS citation. Recipients of the NFHS citation are selected from people nominated by their respective state athletic director associations. This award recognizes athletic administrators from across the nation who have excelled in the profession.
The Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association nominated Abbott for the award.
“No single person has impacted as many coaches and teachers in our state as Walter Abbott. Even after 45 years of teaching, he still has the energy and passion to give to any student, athlete or coach in Maine,” the nomination stated.
“I’ve been dedicated to sport my whole life. I was honored to be recommended for this,” said Abbott.
“He always makes time for people because it is the right thing to do,” said Brown, “not for the recognition.”
Abbott hails from Rumford where he played high school football. While playing football for the Black Bears, Abbott had a reputation as a strong offensive guard and defensive linebacker.
Abbott’s commitment and service has been recognized with awards such as the UMaine Alumni Association Block M Award, the Maine Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Highest Praise Award and the National Football Foundation State of Maine Chapter Contribution to Amateur Football Award.
“This is a great tribute to a superb coach, a wonderful trainer of coaches and a continuing advocate for doing sports the right way,” Cobb said.
The annual National Conference of High School Directors of Athletics will be held on Sunday in Orlando, Fla.
Bangor Daily News