FALL 2026 ATHLETICS NEWSLETTER

Six Husky teams captured LEC Championships in the 2025-2026 season

A Message from the Director

Welcome to the second edition of Inside the Husky Huddle. We hope your summer was filled with relaxation, travel, and time spent with family and friends.

As we gear up for the new academic year, September 1st officially marked the start of another season in Huskies athletics. Our fall teams have been back on campus for a couple of weeks preparing for competition, and all of our students have moved back in for the upcoming year. While we are excited for 2026–27, we want to take one last look back at what was truly a historic season for USM Athletics.

2025–2026 Highlights & Historic Success

Although we fell just short of winning our first-ever Little East Conference (LEC) Commissioner's Cup (by a mere 0.01 points!), USM set the gold standard for the LEC on the national stage:

• NCAA Appearances: Nine Husky programs represented USM at NCAA championships - the most in a single year in school history.

• Conference & National Success: USM captured six LEC championships and finished 70th nationally out of 426 schools in the Division III Directors' Cup, which measures overall program success. This was the top finish of all LEC schools and marked the second-best finish in school history (behind the 1997–98 season, which finished 62nd).

• Academic Achievement: 315 student-athletes achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with 67 qualifying for the LEC Academic All-Conference team.

• All-Americans: Six student-athletes earned All-American honors. Notably, Jaycie Christopher (women’s basketball) and Kyle Douin (baseball) were named both All-Americans and Academic All-Americans.

• Top Dawgs: We introduced our inaugural USM Athletics Athletes of the Year awards - our "Top Dawgs."

Looking Ahead to 2026–2027

While last year was fantastic, we are eager for what’s next. Our teams are back on campus driven to defend and claim new LEC championships. We are also excited to host several events celebrating our alumni (see the "Save the Date" section below).

Mark your calendars for our first-ever USM Athletics Day of Giving on October 6th, as we work to directly enhance the experience for current and future Huskies.

We hope you will join us for a game or event this year. Please reach out and let us know if you plan to be in the area, we would love to see you!

CONTENTS

Has your contact information changed? Let USM know!

2026 HUSKY HALL OF FAME REGISTRATION

ATHLETICS DAY OF GIVING

FIELD NOTES

IN THE CLASSROOM

STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHTS

Bri Townsend | Newport, Maine/Nokomis Regional

Field Hockey and Basketball

Sport Management major

Why did you choose USM? I chose USM because of the opportunity to play two sports and to be a part of the tight knit community on campus. Being at Southern Maine has also opened many doors for me in my career path as there are many ties to the Portland minor league sports teams. 

Who is your role model? My role model is my brother, Dawson. He has gone through more than most as he was diagnosed with Type One diabetes 10 years ago. He still shows up everyday with a hard work ethic, determination, and a great attitude. He inspires me to keep pushing when things get hard. 

What are you most proud of as a USM student-athlete? I am most proud of how all USM athletes support one another both on or off the field or court. I am also proud of how student athletes are always seeking ways to give back to the community, we truly have a special culture here at USM. 

What are you post-USM plans? After USM, I hope to pursue a career in minor league sports ideally working in the marketing and promotions department. 

Gabe Wagner | Freeport, Maine/Freeport

Men's Soccer

Criminology major

Why did you choose USM? I chose USM because for a few years I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to go. After three years I realized that I missed competing. USM seemed like the perfect small and quiet university to have a brand new fresh start.

Who is your role model? I would say both of my older brothers are my role models. Just a year and roughly 3 months separating all of us, we all played on the same varsity and some travel sports so it was always a battle to be at the top. Being the youngest I always tried my best to outgrow the large shadows that I walked in. Either in the classroom, the community or in competition I did my best to follow their lead. I also can’t forget my parents and their endless patience and support for me.

What are you most proud of as a USM student-athlete? I am most proud of being able to make a real impact on a team that was rebuilding and getting us to a LEC championship threat. I can’t thank

this school, program and my teammates enough. They changed my life for the better and I'm proud to call myself a husky.

What are you post-USM plans? I will be hopefully joining Portland PD and later pursuing a career in federal agencies like US Marshall service, FBI or ATF. Over the past year and a half I’ve had a lot of

success with soccer that has allowed me to gain interest overseas to play. I would love to continue my career, maybe even on the Portland Hearts of Pine to represent my school, town and my state.

MEET OUR NEWEST STAFF

IN THE NEWS

• Scott Heath embraces USM baseball's past while building its present and future (May 6)
  
• USM Men's Golf improves at second straight NCAA Division III tournament (May 24)
  
• Southern Maine baseball coach Scott Heath earns regional honor (June 29)
  
• Erin Holmes reflects on Maine Women's Amateur, new position at USM (July 22)
  
• Maine players help boost Sanford Mainers to their latest league crown (Aug. 13)

GIVE TO USM ATHLETICS

Athletics is an important part of the University of Southern Maine. USM student-athletes excel both in the classroom and in competition, and your support helps provide the resources they need to thrive.

Your generosity will enhance athletic programs, support technological advances for our teams and department, and create opportunities for our students to achieve their full potential.

SAVE THE DATES

September 26, 2026: LEC Hall of Fame Ring Ceremony for Jess Williamson, 12pm (at Hill Gymnasium)

September 27, 2026: 37th Annual Husky Hall of Fame Ceremony (at Italian Heritage Center, Portland)

October 6, 2026: Athletics Day of Giving

December 12, 2026: LEC Hall of Fame Ring Ceremony for Jamie Ruginski and National Champion Ring Ceremony for Zoe Barnes, 11:30am (at Costello Field House)

January 2-3, 2027: 2nd Annual Lobster Pot Men's Ice Hockey Championship, hosted by USM (at USM Ice Arena)

January 23, 2027: 3rd Annual Wade Millett Memorial Foundation Basketball Double Header vs. Western Connecticut, 12pm/2pm (at Hill Gymnasium)

February 6, 2027: 1997-98 Women's Basketball LEC Hall of Fame celebration vs. Eastern Connecticut (at Hill Gymnasium)

(more information on each event to come later this fall/winter)

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