Eleven inductees of the The Maine Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 are being honored, including two athletes from the Midcoast region. Carroll LaHaye and Christina Strong are among the distinguished group of athletes, coaches, and contributors whose achievements have left a lasting impact on sports in Maine and beyond, according to Maine Sports Hall of Fame, in a news release. The ceremony will take place September 27, at 2 p.m., at USM’s Hannaford Hall in Portland.

“It’s remarkable how many exceptional athletes and leaders come out of our great state,” said Brian Corcoran, Chair of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors, in the news release. 

Carroll LaHaye excelled in field hockey, basketball and softball at Medomak Valley High School. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Maine-Machias where she played basketball and volleyball. She ventured to Virginia where she caught on as a volunteer coach at Randolph-Macon College.  Within two years, she was head coach and over 38 seasons amassed a record 647-346. She is the winningest coach (men or women) in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference reaching the NCAA Tournament 12 times and going all the way to the DIII National Championship game in 2005.

Christina Strong is honored for her outstanding multi-sport career. A three-sport standout at Georges Valley High School, she excelled in soccer, track, and basketball, earning Miss Maine Basketball honors. At the University of Maine, she contributed to a conference championship team and earned the prestigious Dean Smith Award. She remains among the program’s all-time leaders in assists and is now a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law.

The other 2026 Inductees are:

Al Bean is recognized for a remarkable 50-year association with the University of Southern Maine as a record-setting pitcher, coach, and administrator. Named Athletic Director in 1993, Bean led unprecedented growth in the university’s athletics program, expanding it to 23 varsity sports and nearly 500 student-athletes. Under his leadership, USM saw major facility enhancements, including new soccer, softball, and baseball fields, a hockey arena, and the Costello Sports Complex Field House. Bean also contributed to collegiate athletics nationally through committee service and a four-year term on the NCAA National Management Council.

Mike Brown earned acclaim as a three-time World Extreme Cage Fighting Champion, four-time Absolute Fighting Champion, and veteran UFC fighter. He wrestled at Bonny Eagle High School where he was a Maine State Wrestling Champion and two-time finalist. Brown has continued his impact in retirement as a renowned coach. He has won two MMA World Coach of the Year awards, and his American Top Team fighters have won more than 25 UFC championship belts.

Brian Butterfield becomes a second-generation Hall of Famer, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle. A standout three-sport athlete at Orono High School, he went on to excel in baseball at the University of Maine and Florida Southern, where he played on a national championship team. After five years in the minor leagues, Butterfield built a successful career as a Major League coach, serving with six teams, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder and Chief Community Officer of the Portland Hearts of Pine, is celebrated for both his playing and leadership career. A standout at Falmouth High School and Dartmouth College, where he earned All-Ivy and All-East honors, he played professionally in the United Soccer League before returning to Maine to build one of the most successful franchises in American sports.

David Hughes, a two-time Olympic sailor, is honored following the postponement of his 2021 induction due to COVID-19. He grew up sailing on Casco Bay and captained teams at Yarmouth and USM. Hughes is a seven-time World champion, six-time World Cup champion, two-time European champion, and has won more than 20 National and North American titles. Has served on the board of the US Olympians and Paralympians Association and is currently Vice President of World Sailing where he is helping coordinate the sailing events for the upcoming 2028 L. A. Olympics.

Liz Leddy is honored for both her athletic achievements and inspiring personal journey. Overcoming significant adversity, she became a three-time National Golden Gloves Champion, five-time New England champion, and a member of the elite USA Women’s Boxing Team. A Pan American Games silver medalist, Leddy now dedicates her time to mentoring youth and advocating for those facing difficult circumstances.

Mike McDevitt is celebrated for a lifetime of success in basketball as both a player and coach. A standout at Ellsworth High School and Saint Joseph’s College, he later compiled a remarkable 667-231 record as a women’s basketball coach, winning 20 conference championships and making 15 national tournament appearances. Over 50 seasons in athletics, he never experienced a losing season.

Bob Morse is honored for his unparalleled coaching career at Yarmouth High School, where he led skiing, cross country, and track programs for 95 seasons. His teams achieved extraordinary success, including 43 Nordic and 25 Alpine state championships, with multiple years of sweeping both boys’ and girls’ titles.

Rachel Schneider Smith was born and raised in Sanford. She attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, New Hampshire where she was a multi-time Track & Field state champion and New England Champion. She then went on to become a five-time All American for Georgetown University. She has had a long professional highlighted by competing in the 5K at the 2019 Track & Field World Championships and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; winning two gold medals at the NACAC Championships; a silver medal at the Athletics World Cup, and three national titles.

About the Maine Sports Hall of Fame

The Maine Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to the sports heritage of Maine. Established in 1972, the organization also provides scholarships and recognition to outstanding scholar-athletes and administers programs that support sports development and community engagement throughout the state.