William J. Mottola
Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame
The Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame was created in 2004 to honor the exceptional among the athletes, coaches, administrators, and friends in Mariner athletic history. It also provided an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of William J. 'Bill' Mottola, who retired in the Spring of 2004 after an exemplary 37-year career at Maine Maritime as a coach and athletic director.
Located in the lower of Margaret Chase Smith Gymnasium, the William J. Mottola Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame holds its annual induction ceremony on the Saturday morning of Homecoming weekend.
2008 Inductees:
The Maine Maritime Academy athletic department is proud to announce the selection of Vanessa Vigue (LeBlond) - (Class of 2000), Kirk Matthieu (Class of 1995), and Ed Biggie (instructor, coach, administrator) as the 2008 class for induction into the William J. Mottola Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame.
Vigue is the first MMA female athlete to receive this honor. In the words of former coach Deidra Davis, “Vanessa was the beginning of women’s basketball at MMA. She was clearly the first true woman athlete to grace Smith Gym. She deserves to be the first female in the Hall of Fame.” She was the first woman to score 1,000 points and finished with 1,100 career points to go along with 889 career rebounds. Among the honors Vigue received were: three-time team captain, three time team MVP, two time Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association rebounding championship, 1st team all-North Atlantic Conference and NAC all-tournament team in 1998-99, and 1st team all NAC and NAC tournament MVP in 1999-2000. The Lady Mariners won three consecutive NAC championships during her career.
A graduate of Lawrence High School in Fairfield, Kirk Matthieu put together an incredible football career for the Mariners during which he set many MMA, New England, and national records and earned numerous conference, regional, and national honors. He set MMA single season rushing records in each of his first three full seasons and in his junior year set the New England single season record with 1,733 rushing yards. In his senior season he was named to the AP “Little All-American” team. At the end of his career he ranked first all-time in NCAA Division III all-purpose yards with 7,004, third on all-time rushing list with 5,180 yards, had the fifth highest all-time single rushing total with 337 yards, ranked sixth all-time in all NCAA divisions in all-purpose yards, and twelfth all-time in all NCAA divisions in total rushing yards. He still holds nine MMA, New England Football Conference, ECAC, or NCAA records.
At the time of his retirement in 2007 Ed Biggie had served Maine Maritime as a coach, instructor, and administrator for 39 years. Hired in 1968 as a physical education instructor, assistant football coach, and Lieutenant, he held these positions as well as being an athletic trainer and head wrestling coach from 1968-81. In 1971 he added the duties of Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Aquatics Director. From 1976-2007 he taught Skin and Scuba, and operated the Open Water Diving certification program. In 36 years Biggie NAUI certified over 1,600 divers. Appointed as an Associate Professor in 1977 he continued as Aquatics Director until his retirement, assisted the football program for several more years, coached men’s basketball for three years, and taught Ocean Survival. He was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1981, chosen as MMA’s “Outstanding Faculty Member” in 1993, and served for many years as the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative. Biggie taught every incoming MMA student for all of his 39 years at the Academy.
The 2008 Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held during Homecoming festivities on Saturday, September 27 at 10:30 AM in the BIW Center on the MMA campus.
2007 Inductees:
Jack Cutliffe - Class of 1955 - Football, Basketball, and Baseball
Bob Fauvell - Class of 1974 - Football & Wrestling
Davis E. "Dave" Wiggin - Class of 1965 - Athletic Director & Football Coach
2006 Inductees:
Boima C. 'B.C.' Voyou - Class of 1996 - Men's Soccer
Fred J. Haley - Class of 1965 - Supporter
2005 Inductees:
Dave Fenderson - Class of 1956 - Football, Supporter of MMA Athletics
Robert Giamotti - Administrator, Sports Information Director, Volunteer
Albert W. 'Al' Lay - Class of 1975 - Football, Wrestling
2004 Inductees:
William J. 'Bill' Mottola - Charter Inductee - Coach, Athletic Director
Kenneth W. 'Swede' Erickson - Class of 1950 - Football, Basketball, Baseball
John Hoctor - Administrator, Coach of Football, Basketball, Baseball
Robin W. 'Rob Marchitello - Class of 1996 - Football
