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UMPI Announces Barbara Blackstone as First Recipient of Patrick Baker & Aaron Marston Athletics Impact Memorial Award

PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE - The University of Maine at Presque Isle is proud to announce the first recipient of the "Patrick Baker & Aaron Marston Athletics Impact Memorial Award" is Barbara Blackstone 91'.  Blackstone will be awarded on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the UMPI Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony during Homecoming weekend.

Blackstone graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1991 with a Bachelor's of Science in Physical Education.  Since returning to UMPI in August of 1999 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer, Blackstone has worn many hats on the UMPI campus and has been instrumental not only in growing academic programs, but also helping athletics operate and grow into what it is today. As an Assistant Athletic Trainer Blackstone assisted  with the development of the CAAHEP Athletic Training Program. In 2000, she was appointed as the Head Athletics Trainer and served in that role until 2004 when she became an Assistant Professor/Athletic Training Education Program Director. In 2010, Professor Blackstone was promoted to Associate Professor of Athletic Training and in 2017 was selected as the Dean of Education which transitioned to the Dean of Professional Programs in 2019.  She also served a leadership role within the athletics department as the Senior Women's Administrator from 2009 to 2021 and was instrumental in UMPI's transition from the NAIA to the NCAA Division III.  Today, Professor Blackstone still serves as the women's soccer faculty co-representative. Throughout her years working with UMPI athletics, she has also served on multiple hiring committees to help select Owl coaches, staff, and administrators.

Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation, Dan Kane on Barb Blackstone, "Barb has done as much as anyone has ever done for UMPI Athletics.  If we had a Mount Rushmore for individuals that have impacted our athletics department and our student athletes, she would be on it. From the decades of work she has done in athletic training to serving as our Senior Women's Administrator, she has been a constant pillar within UMPI Athletics and our campus. No job is ever too small or too big for Barb. Whenever we need anything, she is always there, from helping with conflict resolution to volunteering for AT coverage when we find ourselves in a jam. She is always willing to bend an ear when we find ourselves conflicted on what to do and she is always there to offer a shoulder to cry on when we are grieving. Along with all she has done for UMPI Athletics, her personal relationship first serving as a mentor of Patrick and Aaron that turned into a lifelong friendship, there is no one more fitting to be our first recipient of this very special award.

The UMPI Athletics Hall of Fame will take place on Saturday, September 16th at 5:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room located in the Campus Center on the UMPI campus. For ticket information to the UMPI Athletics Hall of Fame, please contact Sandra.McDougal@maine.edu or call 207-768-9506.  Next week UMPI will announce the incoming Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023. 

Click Here for the Video Announcement of Barb Blackstone as the Owls First Recipient of the Patrick Baker & Aaron Marston Athletics Impact Memorial Award
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