GORHAM, Maine — After five seasons as assistant coach, former University of Southern Maine All-American wrestler Michael Morin has been named the head coach of the school’s wrestling program.
“Mike Morin is the perfect choice to be our next head coach and to take on the leadership of the USM wrestling program,” Director of Athletics Al Bean said in a news release.
Morin replaces Joe Pistone, who stepped down this spring to accept a job as the Florida Gulf Coast University wrestling coach.
Recently named the 2015 New England Wrestling Association Assistant Coach of the Year, Morin has been on the Huskies’ sidelines since the completion of his career in 2010. The most decorated wrestler in USM history, he has helped develop and recruit several of the USM’s top performers over the last five seasons.
Morin earned All-American honors in 2009 and 2010, becoming USM’s first wrestling All-American. Additionally, Morin is the first USM wrestler to earn three consecutive bids to the NCAA Division III National Championship tournament, winning the New England regional championship three consecutive seasons from 2008 through 2010.
A two-time captain (2009, 2010), Morin is the all-time leader in wins, posting a 133-21 record during his four-year career for a .863 winning percentage. Morin had a pair of 40-win seasons as a junior and a senior, earning a 40-2 record in 2008-2009 and a 44-5 record in 2009-2010.
“I’m very excited for this opportunity and the chance to continue working with our student athletes,” Morin said. “As a former University of Southern Maine student-athlete, and assistant coach for the last five years, I am very familiar with both the university and its wrestling program and the hard work and dedication needed to achieve on the mat and in the classroom. Coach Pistone has done a great job building this program, and I look forward to taking over for him.”
Husson football adds 10th game
The Husson University Eagles added a game against Redemption Christian College to its football schedule this fall, completing a 10-game slate for the NCAA Division III team.
The Eagles will host the Dragon Slayers for the first time at noon Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Winkin Complex on the Husson campus.
The Eagles now have six home games.
“We are excited for a 10th game and the bonus of the game being at home is exciting for our players and fans,” Husson football coach Gabby Price said in a news release.
Redemption Christian College has a fledgling football program and the school is in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
UMaine 3rd in league academic cup
The University of Maine student-athletes competing in the America East conference posted a 3.21 cumulative grade point average this year to finish third in the 2015 America East Academic Cup standings.
The UMaine women’s basketball team, the 2015 America East co-regular season champion, led all women’s basketball squads with a 3.39 GPA. They were one of just three teams to win a championship and finish with the highest GPA in their respective sport.
Hartford and New Hampshire tied for the 2015 America East Academic Cup, each posting a 3.23 GPA. Maine was third at 3.21 followed by Vermont at 3.16. Binghamton and UMass Lowell were tied for fifth, each recording a 3.10 GPA. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Stony Brook tied for seventh with a 3.08 GPA, while Albany compiled a 3.06 GPA.