ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine athletics department will honor Skip Chappelle with a ceremony at halftime of the men's basketball game on Nov. 24 when the Black Bears host Holy Cross at noon in the opening game of a men's and women's basketball doubleheader at 'The Pit'. 

Between the men's and women's games, fans and supporters will have the opportunity to stop by the New Balance Field House to greet Chappelle and enjoy light refreshments. 

Chappelle, will be recognized for his stints as both a student-athlete and a coach, 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.

Tickets to the Nov. 24 doubleheader are available by visiting GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-2327, or in-person at the Alfond Arena box office.

-UMaine-