ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine unveiled the naming of Skip Chappelle Court at Memorial Gymnasium on Sunday during a halftime ceremony honoring the former head men's basketball coach, all-conference player, and UMaine Sports Hall of Famer.

The naming of Skip Chappelle Court will carry over and be recognized inside the new Morse Arena, targeted to open for the 2027-28 season. 

Chappelle was inducted into the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 after a celebrated playing and coaching career. 

Chappelle, the only Black Bear to ever be selected as a Little All-American ('61), guided Maine to two of its most successful seasons in program history; 19-4 in 1959-60 and 18-5 in 1960-61. Chappelle, at one point a holder of 12 individual school records, led the Yankee Conference in scoring three consecutive seasons. Chappelle, who earned three first team All-Yankee Conference selections (1960-62), was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 11th round (89th overall) of the 1962 NBA Draft, becoming Maine's first-ever NBA draft pick. His #34 was retired by the University of Maine 

Chappelle returned to Maine in 1968 as assistant varsity and head freshman basketball coach before taking over as head coach in 1971. He went on to serve 17 years at the helm of the program where he accumulated 217 wins, coached seven future NBA draft selections, and was named the ECAC North Coach of the Year in 1988.

-UMaine-