The new sports performance center of the University of Maine is going to bear the name of Walt Abbott, the university’s distinguished alumnus and a major contributor to Black Bear athletics. Abbott’s association with the university is more than fifty years wide in different capacities e.g., student- athlete, coach, administrator, educator, etc. His commitment to UMaine and its athletic programs was so strong and so persistent over the years that it has not only changed the culture of the university but also affected the people who work and study there.

The Walt Abbott Sports Performance Center

Morse Arena is today’s home to the 6,000-square-foot sports performance center that is to be built originally. The facility is tailored to bring about the athletes’ holistic development. Training in speed, strength, and agility will be the main focus of the cutting-edge equipment installed in the center. The center will be mainly for the benefits of the football and basketball programs but also the facilities will be available for the athletes of other selected varsity teams helping them to get through the hardest performance and competition phases.

A Tribute to a Lifetime of Service

UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy expressed the importance of the contributions of Wal Abbott saying that his legacy is very much connected to the university’s athletic programs through his long service. She termed the center as a tribute to the long and unwavering commitment of Abbott to student-athletes and his hum and leadership. The building is a major part of his legacy that has shaped the university’s athletic culture and even inspired the current generation of athletes who train and compete there.

A Career Built on Mentorship

Abbott's unwavering commitment to UMaine athletics led to his being inducted into the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Not only was he a mentor to student-athletes in various roles such as assistant coach, head coach, interim athletic director, and faculty member in the College of Education and Human Development but over the course of 50 years he became their mentor in different aspects. His legacy of mentorship and support has shaped the careers of countless individuals within the UMaine community and will last forever.

Community Support and Generosity

The naming of the Walt Abbott Sports Performance Center was funded by the donations of Abbott's old players and colleagues, who gave more than $500,000 to pay for the naming opportunity. This joint effort is a clear indication of the strong admiration and respect that the UMaine community has for Abbott. The support is a testament to the great influence he has exerted on the lives of those around him and on the university as a whole.

 

A Personal Connection

Abbott's connection to the university goes beyond professional achievements. He and his deceased wife, Carol, were classmates at UMaine and then lived in the area with their children. Their lives were literally intertwined with the campus and its community, developing bonds that are still alive today. Abbott takes pride in his journey and says that UMaine has always been the center of his life and he has always been very loyal to the Black Bear community.

A Lasting Legacy

The Walt Abbott Sports Performance Center is a facility that represents not just a building but also a living promotion of the values that have been the pillars of Abbott's life—leadership, character, and excellence. The new center's opening will facilitate the nurturing of student-athletes for a long time to come, demonstrating that a single person's commitment and zeal can substantially impact a community. The memory of Walt Abbott will be an immortal aspect of the University of Maine, influencing the direction of sports for a long time to come.