University of Maine at Presque Isle Athletics Hall of Fame
Jay Bedwell is recognized as an inductee into the University of Maine at Presque Isle owls Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements on the men's basketball team. Bedwell, a 1988 UMPI graduate is a former men's basketball player, while earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Art Education. In his distinguished playing career, from 1984-1988, Bedwell finished his career third on the Owls all time scoring list with 1,404 points, currently sitting in the fifth spot.
Bedwell's career has many highlights, beginning with his first year, as he scored 413 points while shooting an impressive 72.1% from the field, earning him to be named to the 1984-84 NAIA All-American Honorable Mention as he finished first in the nation in field goal percentage. As Bedwell's career continued, so did his efficient scoring. Finishing his career with an average of 14.2 points per game while shooting 61.1% from the field and shooting 80.1% from the free throw line.
While Bedwell's efficient scoring highlighted his career, he was also a skilled rebounder, finishing his career with 716 total rebounds, averaging 6.6 per game. Taking on the lead rebounding role for his team in his second year, as he grabbed 251 rebounds in the 1985-86 season, putting him at the top of the Owls all-time list for rebounds in a season. In his four years, Bedwell helped lead the Owls to a 55-53 record.
Once graduating from UMPI in 1988, Bedwell went on to pursue his career in Elementary Education. Bedwell spent his first three years teaching in the Presque Isle School System, before moving to Indianapolis to teach at Mill Creek Community School, where he stayed for the next 11 years. During those years, he earned a Masters in Elementary Education while earning his Administration and Supervision License. In 2002, Bedwell earned his first school Principal job, later moving to James A. Allison Elementary where he has served as the school's principal for the last 19 years, as the school has flourished in those years.
