Friday, April 29, 2011

Jon Day Named Scholar Athlete


Bridgton Academy is pleased to announce that Jon Day (Gorham, ME) is this year’s recipient of The Scholar Athlete Award from The State of Maine Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. It is the mission of the National Football Foundation to “inspire our nation’s youth to compete on the athletic fields and in the classroom and to assume leadership roles on the high school and college campuses today.”


Jon has worked very hard this year in the classroom and on the football field and follows in the footsteps of many Bridgton Academy alumni who have also received this award. Matt Burgess ’88 was the first recipient from Bridgton Academy and is now a current faculty member and football coach at the Academy. Along with Burgess other recipients include:


Michael Bruneau ‘90

John Powers ’91 (past faculty member)

Thomas Asbury ‘92

Robert Sinram ‘93

Thomas MacLeod ‘94

Charles McElligott ‘97

Patrick Shairs ’02 (past faculty member and football coach)

Michael Whitticon ‘04

Thomas Daley ‘05

Christopher Chandler ‘06

Charles Bachelder ‘07

James Burrell ‘08


Day played tight end at Bridgton Academy and is attending Wesleyan University in September.

Head football coach, Rick Marcella said of Day, “The thing that strikes me the most about Jon is his work ethic. He brings that with him everywhere he goes, with great motivation and follow through. Jon refuses to be outworked by anybody.”


Grady Vigneau, Headmaster said, “Having previously been an officer of the Vermont Chapter of the NFF, I know first hand just how much thought and evaluation goes into the selection of a recipient for a state's Scholar Athlete Award. As such, Jon's recognition speaks volumes about his accomplishments this year at Bridgton Academy. In the classroom, as a campus citizen, and on the football field, Jon has been a leader, an achiever, and an inspiration. As an Academy, we congratulate Jon and thank him for all he has done this year as a member of the Class of '11"


Jon said, “I am extremely honored just to be

nominated for this very prestigious award. Thank you to all my coaches who have pushed me along the way and taught me to never stop working my absolute hardest. I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of great coaches through my career. I also want to take the time and say thank you to my mom who always pushed me to be better than I was in anything. I'd be lost without her.”


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Ray Mitchell '68 and Terry Silva '70

Bridgton Academy wants to congratulate Ray Mitchell ’68 and Terry Silva '70 on their induction to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Ray attended Bridgton Academy prior to a stellar career at American International College. After graduation, Ray coached at a few different schools before settling at Holyoke High School. After eight years as an assistant coach, Ray worked his way to the head coaching position and over a span of 16 years had a record of 101-62-1 which included three Conference Championships, two Super Bowl Championships, and an undefeated season in 1995.

Coach Tom Austin kept track of Ray’s success after Bridgton and is happy to see him earn the recognition he deserves. “His success does not surprise me,” commented Coach Austin. “He was so focused on what he needed to do, and he has obviously inculcated that with the boys he has coached over the years,” Coach Austin added.


Terry Silva '70 attended Bridgton Academy and was the team captain of the legendary undefeated football team. After his year at Bridgton Terry attended Hobart and William Smith College and upon graduation embarked on his coaching career. Terry took a job at Gloucester High School and left with a record of 154 wins and 3 Super Bowl Championships.

Coach Austin remembers Terry's leadership and dedication to the sport saying, "He was always very enthused about the game of football. He was a great leader which has clearly carried over to his coaching career."

Congratulations Ray and Terry!

Pictured here is the 1967 Bridgton Academy Football Team including Ray Mitchell and Coach Tom Austin.

Pictured here is the undefeated 1969 football team including Captain Terry Silva and Coach Tom Austin.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Player Profile: Brett Smith


HOMETOWN: Bloomfield Hills, MI

HIGH SCHOOL: Detroit Country Day

IN HIGH SCHOOL: I was too much of an athlete. I didn’t focus on school work and focused too much on friends

HEARD ABOUT BA: My high school advisor and lacrosse coach graduated from BA in ’71 and suggested it might be a good fit for me

GOALS AT BA: I want to do every homework assignment and turn them in on time as well as have above a 3.0

BA IS DIFFERENT THAN HIGH SCHOOL: It’s a community where you live in dorms with some of your teachers and see them throughout the day so they are more than just a figure in the classroom.

BEST THING ABOUT BA: You really know your teachers

WORST THING ABOUT BA: There is no city for miles that you can walk to!

ACTIVITIES AT BA: Football, Rugby, Deans Council

OUTSIDE OF BA: I like to hang out, play video games, and talk to friends

ROLE MODEL: My Dad

FAVORITE BOOK: The Last Lecture- Randy Pausch

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Michigan State Football

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Jim Brown

FAVORITE MUSIC: Dave Matthews Band

FAVORITE MEAL: Waffles with hash browns and an omelet

MY FRIENDS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW: I was in the middle school choir

BA PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW: Make the most out of your time here and get homework and anything else done that you need to do