PRESQUE ISLE, ME
One of the most legendary figures in UMPI Athletics History has decided to call it a career. Head Men's Soccer Coach Alan Gordon announced his retirement after more than 40 years involved at UMPI as a student ,athlete, professor, coach, but most notably a wonderful colleague and friend.
Gordon has devoted his life to UMPI, first coming to school in the fall of 1983 after graduating from Dexter Regional High School. He was a standout, three-sport athlete, playing soccer, basketball and baseball for the Owls. In soccer, he was selected to three all-conference teams, 2 NAIA All-District Teams, and was named an NAIA All-American after his senior season. On the basketball floor, Gordon was the team's point guard, leading the Owls to multiple playoff appearances and set a single-season assists record of 261 in his junior year of 1985-86. In 1994, Gordon was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his playing career
After his playing days were over, Gordon then received his Master's degree from Ithaca College in 1988. He began a teaching and coaching career directly after, serving two years as the athletic director, and head coach of boys soccer, girls and boys Basketball, and baseball at Forest Hills Consolidated School in Jackman, Maine.
In 1990, Gordon returned to UMPI as a professor of Physical Education and became the head men's soccer coach in 1991 – a position he would hold for 35 consecutive seasons. During his time coaching Men's soccer, Gordon accumulated 221 wins, including three 12-win seasons in 1996, 2000, and 2008. His most successful team might have been the 1996 team that began the season 12-0, en route to an at-large bid to the NAIA regional tournament.
In addition to Men's Soccer, Gordon was the head coach for 14 years of the Women's Basketball team from 1993-2008 with one year off in between. He had some very successful teams in that span, and coached some of the all-time greats in program history such as Erica (McGary) Tweedie, Lori (Morrow) Joseph, and Rachel (Larlee) Bousquet. Gordon also spent two years coaching Women's Softball in 1991 and 1992. When UMPI became a member of the NCAA in the early 2000's, Gordon served as the Compliance officer, ensuring all athletes and coaches were following NCAA rules and regulations to keep the department in good membership standing.
Beyond UMPI Athletics, Gordon was an instructor of Physical Education for all 36 years, teaching and mentoring many students who went on to have very successful careers in education after UMPI. Coach Gordon hosted Special Olympics activity days for local schools, often with his soccer team playing a major part in the day every year.
Most recently, Gordon was inducted to the Dexter Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions as an athlete in high school, as well as his more-than successful UMPI playing and coaching career.
More notable than all of his many accolades and successful coaching seasons, Coach Gordon will best be remembered for his absolute devotion to this school, and his student athletes. His steadfastness within the department for 36 years will be greatly missed.
Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation Dan Kane spoke about Coach Gordon's lasting impact. "Alan Gordon's impact on UMPI Athletics is truly impossible to measure. For the past nine years, I have had the privilege of working alongside someone who represents everything that is special about this university: loyalty, humility, competitiveness, and a deep commitment to students. Alan has given his heart and soul to UMPI for more than four decades as a student-athlete, coach, professor, mentor, and leader. His legacy will live on through the countless student-athletes he coached, the colleagues he supported, and the standard of dedication he set for all of us. We are incredibly grateful for everything Alan has done for the Owls, and we wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement."
"UMPI will forever hold a special place in my heart," Gordon said. "It has been an honor to work with so many amazing students, athletes, and coaches throughout my career."
Coach Gordon truly did bleed Blue and Gold. His career can never be replaced and will never be forgotten.
