After a two-year break due to virtual conventions, the USCAA will recognize seven outstanding former student-athletes, coaches and contributors with induction into the 2022 USCAA Hall of Fame on June 5th in Portland, Maine.
The ceremony will take place with a dinner and reception at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn By the Bay prior to the start of the 2022 USCAA National Convention.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to honor this year's inductees after two years away from an in-person convention" says USCAA Chief Operating Officer, BJ Bertges. "The National Convention is one of my favorite events each year and to be able to honor our former student-athletes, coaches and meritorious contributors is very special. This ceremony not only recognizes and celebrates our inductees but serves as a reminder of where the Association has grown from and those who have made significant contributions along the way. In many ways, it serves as our motivation to continue to provide opportunities for our memebrs and student-athletes to succeed at the highest level".
Former student-athletes include: Jonathan Dehoux (Apprentice School/Baseball), Patrick Dempsey (Central Maine CC/Men’s Basketball), Susie French (Central Maine CC/Women’s Basketball) and Heather Searles (NHTI/Women’s Cross Country)
Meritorious Contributors in the 2022 class include: Marty Ogle (Penn State Mont Alto), Matt Richards (Southern Maine CC). Lucas Levesque, former head coach of the University of Maine-Fort Kent Women’s Soccer team, will be inducted as well.
Jonathan Dehoux (Player) – A member of the 2007-2010 Baseball team at The Apprentice School, Dehoux set standards that are still the measuring blocks for the program since his departure over 10 years ago. With a record of 106-67 he was able to secure three first-team All-American honors, the Apprentice School Athlete of the Year honors, and an All-Academic honor in 2008. He helped lead the Builders National Championship appearances in each of his years, with a national championship win in 2007, Runner-up in 2008, and the securing the title Homerun Derby Champion in 2010. After finishing his career at The Apprentice School, Dehoux went to a professional tryout with the Baltimore Orioles and had his number retired from Mathews High School along with former MLB Pitcher Keith Atherton in 2016. Outside of his awards in the USCAA, he was honored with VASID First Team honor in 2009 and VASID Second Team in 2008 and 2010.
Patrick Dempsey (Player) – From Central Maine Community College, a three-time First Team All-American Basketball Player. From the years 2001-2005, Dempsey made four National Championship Appearances and won a National Championship in the 2001-2002 season. A member of the 1,000 Point club with 1,096 and the all-time leader at CMCC in assists with a total of 1,307, Dempsey was a game changer for the team. Dempsey led the USCAA and the Yankee Conference in assist for three years, making his presence on the floor known to all.
Marty Ogle (Meritorious Contributor) - Marty served as the Mont Alto athletic director for 28 years beginning in 1989 and retired in June of 2016. During that period, he helped build the intercollegiate athletic programs at Mont Alto from four to 12 varsity sports. Major improvements were made to athletic facilities and baseball and softball fields were constructed during his tenure. Beyond serving the campus, Marty also served the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC), the conference in which the smaller Penn State campuses compete. He served as a senior leader in the PSUAC and held the position of president of the Council of Athletic Directors for 15 years. Marty was also recognized at the national level when he was elected to the Board of the USCAA, serving in this capacity for two years. Marty also served as Mont Alto’s men’s basketball coach from 1998 to 2008, compiling a 178-62 record. Ogle was honored with the PSUAC Coach of the Year award in 2000, 2001, and 2003 for his outstanding abilities and leadership. He was presented with the Robert J. Scannell Roll of Honor Award by the PSUAC for exemplifying a longstanding commitment to student-athlete success and leadership within the PSUAC. In honor of Marty’s leadership, the Mont Alto campus has created the Marty Ogle Student-Athlete of the Year Award. This award will be presented each April to a current student-athlete from a men's team and a current student-athlete from a women's team for distinguishing themselves during their PSUMA careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic prowess, and leadership.
Lucas Levesque (Coach) – In eight years of service at the University of Maine Fort Kent from 2010-2018, Levesque helped his team go on an almost unbelievable run of six USCAA National Championships in seven years, including four in a row between 2013 and 2016. From 2013 through 2017 his teams compiled an 88-6-2 record. His high-powered offensive teams scored 472 goals in that stretch, and only allowed 42 goals in those five seasons. In 2015, Levesque was honored with the Coach of the Year award during what would become his third straight National Championship, and fourth overall. In every year that Levesque led his team to the National Tournament, he coached with great leadership and left with a National Title every time.
Susie French (Player) – A two-year player from Central Maine Community College from 2012-2014, French has left a lasting impact on the program. In just two seasons with the program, French was honored countless times, with two First Team All-American Honors, two Yankee Conference Player of the Year awards, and two USCAA All-Academic Honors. Going to the National Tournament both years she was able to leave as a runner-up in the 2014 tournament just prior to her receiving a full basketball scholarship to NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce University. French started every game in her two years at CMCC, after distinguishing herself by her personal hard work, earning respect for her demonstrated ability to foster growth in her teammates. She left an impact on the team atmosphere by challenging teammates on a daily basis to become better and to push beyond their comfort zones takes a delicate balance of goal setting, maturity, and respect.
Heather Searles (Player) – A member of the New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) Women’s Cross Country Team from 2006 to 2008, she was a cornerstone to their success. Capturing the National Championship Title in 2008 after her Runner-Up finish in 2007, Searles rose through hard work, dedication, and patience. Being named the first female captain for the cross-country team she learned leadership skills and became an active person in the athletics department. She was honored both athletically and academically in 2006, 2007, and 2008 with First Team All-American Honors as well as USCAA All-Academic Honors. She was honored by NHTI as well as a student-athlete winning the William O’Claire Award for Outstanding Female Athlete in 2007 and 2008 tying together her hard work and her recognition through the USCAA. Since ending her collegiate career, she has continued to contribute to the NHTI cross-country team and gives back in many ways to the greater Concord community with her charity work while supporting a young family. In 2019, Searles was honored by becoming part of the Inaugural Class to the NHTI Athletic Hall of Fame, bringing her athletics career full circle.
Matt Richards (Meritorious Contributor) – Starting in 2003, current Southern Maine Community College, Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Matt Richards has been a key contributor to the success of his university and the enhancement of the USCAA. During his tenure, SMCC has won 32 conference championships and has made 31 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament appearances, grabbing regional and national recognition. Richards added Women's Soccer and Women's Volleyball to SMCC's sports offerings, expanded the Baseball and Softball seasons to fall and spring, and has overseen the renovation of the college’s athletic facilities to meet the needs of the growing program. In July of 2016, Richards was appointed Associate Dean of Students to add duties within Student Residential Life and Activities. In addition to his work on campus, Richards has also been an active executive board member of the USCAA, the national organization that provides regional and national post-season and award opportunities for small colleges throughout the nation. He joined the USCAA Board of Directors in June of 2006, and since that time has served in various capacities including Vice President of Marketing, Eligibility Chair, and President of the Board of Directors. Richards has since fulfilled his term as President of the USCAA but continues to serve on the Board of Directors and as Interim Eligibility/Compliance Coordinator. In 2009, Richards received the prestigious Commissioner's Award for his outstanding service and dedication to the USCAA and most recently earned recognition as the association's Athletic Director of the Year (2021) for the second time in his career. Richards is currently the President of the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC), in which SMCC is a member institution. A three-time YSCC Coach of the Year (2004, 2007, and 2015), coaching nine student-athletes to 10 All-American selections, capturing three YSCC titles, and leading his teams to 10 USCAA National Tournament appearances including back-to-back trips to the Final Four in 2007 and 2008. Most recently, Richards led his team to the National Championship leaving with a win for the 2022 tournament.