FORT KENT, Maine – The University of Maine at Fort Kent on Friday dedicated its basketball court to former coach Lowell “Ozzie” Osgood, who came up with the school’s “Bengals” name for its sports teams.
The dedication came about as a suggestion from former coach Larry Murphy to the school’s hall of fame committee and UMFK Athletic Director Carly Flowers. Murphy, who is a class of 1975 alumnus and 2008 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, also presented the floor dedication on Friday.
“This gesture is a meaningful way to illustrate how past achievements continue to influence our current athletes and teams,” Flowers said.
Flowers said Osgood’s leadership and contributions were instrumental in making the school’s sports center, where the court is located, a reality.
Osgood came to the University of Maine at Fort Kent in the fall of 1962. His 15-year career at the school includes serving as a physical education teacher, coaching soccer and basketball, and working as the university’s athletic director.
“During his tenure as coach at UMFK, his basketball teams never had a losing season,” said Heidi Carter, UMFK Executive Director of Marketing and Brand Management.
Carter said the school’s prior teams were known as the “Acadians,” based on the school’s proximity to the Canadian border and the region’s Acadian population.
One of the earliest mentions of the Bengals name, according to Carter, is in the school’s newspaper, where Osgood was quoted saying that he wants to “put the Fort Kent Bengals on the map.”
Flowers said Osgood came up with the “Bengals” mascot because he was looking for a fierce name to match the school’s athletic culture.
“From the many stories I have heard about Lowell Osgood, it is clear that he was a tough and competitive coach dedicated to the success of his student-athletes,” Flowers said. “Coach Osgood played a pivotal role in establishing a new direction for intercollegiate athletics at UMFK. His efforts laid the foundation for a competitive athletics program, setting a high standard to drive our current teams toward excellence.”
And though he had a reputation for being tough and driven, Flowers said those who knew him say he would also praise his players.
“Friends, family, players and anyone who knew him say he was tough but knew when to give a pat on the back,” Flowers said. “He had high standards but pushed for excellence.”
Osgood died on May 1 of 2002 at 79 years old. Just one month before his death, he was given the Maine Men’s College Basketball Coaches and Writers Association “Man of the Year Award.” And in 2008, he was posthumously inducted into the UMFK Athletic Hall of Fame.
The dedication ceremony also featured statements from Flowers, UMFK President Deb Hedeen, and Osgood’s son Gary Osgood – who is also a UMFK alumni.
“Honoring the past and acknowledging those who have made our present achievements possible is always a profound experience,” Flowers said. “I am truly grateful to be part of this commemoration. Coach Osgood’s leadership, commitment, and tenacity have been invaluable, not only in establishing the Sports Center, but also in setting a high standard of success at UMFK.”
