GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics will be honoring Tom Underwood '72 with the 2023 Richard A. Costello Special Achievement Award.  Named in honor of the legendary coach and administrator, the Costello Award is presented annually to a USM graduate who has distinguished themselves through their commitment to student-athletes and athletics. A legend in his own right, Underwood was selected for his dedicated career as a coach, teacher, and administrator in the Plymouth, N.H. community.
 
"Tom Underwood epitomizes the very core of the Richard A. Costello Award.  He was a standout pitcher for the Huskies baseball team, and following graduation, moved forward to his professional career as a teacher and coach in Plymouth, New Hampshire.  For more than 40 years, he never stopped giving back," said Director of Athletics Al Bean.  "He gave his life to others in the classroom, on the diamond, and sometimes in other sports when needed.  Tom was beloved by countless students, baseball players and coaches, colleagues and community members.  His professionalism and respect for others, including the game of baseball, was obvious.  Without question, he made a difference for many and is very deserving of this recognition."
 
Underwood pitched for the University from 1969-1972 while earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics education.  Armed with a passion for athletics and his newly acquired degree, Underwood quickly found a teaching position at Plymouth Elementary School and a job coaching the Plymouth Regional High School baseball team.  He went on to hold those positions for over four decades and even picked up a few others along the way.
 
During his tenure, he built Plymouth into one of the top teams in the Granite State, guiding the team to six state titles and 13 state championship appearances. Underwood's Bobcats qualified for the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs 38 times in his 42 seasons as head coach.  He is one of three coaches in the history of New Hampshire high school baseball to win over 500 games and had a career record of 518-257 while winning Coach of the Year awards from numerous organizations including the New Hampshire Coaches Association, Diamond Baseball Company, the U.S. Baseball Federation, the New Hampshire Baseball Coaches Association, and the American Baseball Coaches Association.  He also received several nominations for national Coach of the Year awards from several organizations.
 
Underwood's influence on the New Hampshire baseball world was not limited to the high school ranks as he was heavily involved in the game at the youth level and founded the Plymouth Little League in 1973.  He also started Plymouth's American Legion team in 1975 and served as president of the Plymouth Area Babe Ruth league in addition to coaching several teams across different age groups.  Underwood was inducted into the NHIAA Hall of Fame in 2014, the New Hampshire Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021 and the New Hampshire Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 2023.
 
 
Much like Costello, Underwood was a man who wore many hats with a legacy that spans multiple sports.  Underwood served as Plymouth Regional's first-ever cross country coach from 1973-75, coached junior high football for 40 years, had a lengthy career as the Plymouth Elementary wrestling coach, coached various levels of youth basketball and eventually became Plymouth Elementary's athletic director.
 
Underwood will be honored as part of the 37th Annual Husky Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Sunday, October 15 (5:00 pm) at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland, Maine presented by Gorham House of Pizza.