Orono, ME - It was announced on Monday afternoon that Connor Goodman of the University of Maine baseball program was named an Honorable Mention for the inaugural Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team.

Goodman has created two service initiatives in his hometown of Miami, partnering with the Miami Marlins on each, before launching another initiative in the Orono community. Goodman started 'Marlins' MVPs when he was 10 years old alongside Major League Baseball player Logan Morrison. Goodman, who lost his father when he was nine, began Marlins MVPs to provide kids who have lost a parent with the opportunity to enjoy a day at the ballpark, take in a Marlins game, and interact with the professional ballplayers.

Goodman's second initiative is "Connor's Champions: Choose Gloves, Not Drugs." This program, which he created in high school, also partnered with the Miami Marlins as well as the Boys and Girls Club to raise money to provide new or gently used baseball equipment for underprivileged kids.

Earlier this year, Goodman launched 'Goody's Gloves'. The program raises money to use towards the purchase of baseball gloves in which Goodman donates to local Maine communities. In the first year, Goodman was able to donate 104 gloves to the Orono and Old Town communities.

The Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team is set up to annually recognize the giving character and community impact of collegiate baseball players.

Honorees were nominated by their schools, and the team was selected based on outstanding achievements in three key areas:

• Demonstrating a substantial commitment to their community through service and philanthropy.
• Embodying the generous spirit and character of Lou Gehrig.
• Making remarkable contributions to the success of their respective teams.

Goodman was one of 17 college baseball players to be named to the list, which features eight semifinalists and nine honorable mentions.

-UMaine-