GORHAM, Maine  –  University of Southern Maine Athletics will honor the legacy of both retired Director of Athletics Al Bean, and retired baseball coach Ed Flaherty during a celebration event on Saturday, October 5 (6:00 pm) at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland, Maine. Former student-athletes, colleagues and friends are invited to attend the reception (donation-based entry) in honor of both Bean and Flaherty – guest speakers will share memories and highlights of their respective careers and impact, including New Channel 13 Sports Director Dave Eid. 
 
Coaching his final game of Huskies' baseball at the conclusion of the 2024 season, Coach Ed Flaherty led Southern Maine's storied baseball program for 39 seasons, compiling more than 1100 career wins, and affecting the lives of countless student-athletes.  Flaherty took on the role of coach at the University of Southern Maine in 1986, and within five years he turned Huskies' baseball into a national powerhouse collecting the first of his two NCAA Division III National Championships in 1991 – the first national title for any college or university in the State of Maine. 
 
Flaherty's teams made eight trips to the college World Series and won eight regional championships. And in his 39 seasons, the Huskies competed in 26 national championship tournaments, most recently in 2021. Flaherty finished with a career record of 1,133-531-4, and is in currently in the top five all-time for NCAA Division III coaches.
 
During an April 27 on-field celebration of his coaching career, Flaherty was joined by former student-athletes, coaches, peers, and family members, as then Director of Athletics Al Bean presented Flaherty with a long-lasting thank you and retired his number, 26, now displayed on the front of the press box at Flaherty Field. 
 
Just a few months later, Bean would announce his retirement as Husky Director of Athletics after nearly five decades of professional connection to the University, and 31 years as the Director of Athletics. Completing his final day as Huskies' Director of Athletics on August 30, Bean oversaw the unprecedented growth and success of the University Athletics' program to include its 23 varsity-sport offering, and participation of nearly 500 student-athletes. His tireless efforts to increase the breadth and depth of the student-athlete experience at the University of Southern Maine, Bean initiated an external review of USM's facilities and programs that resulted in the construction of the Costello Sports Complex fieldhouse, the USM Ice Arena and soccer field in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Bean has also led the way for more recent facility upgrades including the completion of the USM Softball Stadium, Ed Flaherty Field, and the Hannaford Field turf.  
 
With the personal and professional development of Husky student-athletes always at the front of Bean's decision-making policies and initiatives, Bean reveled in the success and contribution of each student-athlete at the University of Southern Maine, and followed through with the creation of the USM Athletic Development Council, Husky Golf Classic, Husky Hall of Fame, William B. Wise Scholar Athlete Awards program, Husky Senior Honors Night, and USM's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
"Both Ed and Al were invaluable mentors and leaders as I embarked on my coaching career," said University of Southern Maine Softball Coach Sarah Jamo. "They were both generous with their time, insight and were invested in the success of the program and in my personal success and growth.  I look forward to celebrating both of their legacies during USM's Homecoming and Family Weekend."
 
The celebration will also serve as fundraiser for the Degifico Hitting Pavilion.  A former baseball student-athlete, assistant baseball coach, and Ice Arena Manager, Vinnie Degifico passed away in the summer of 2022 from cancer.  Degifico played three seasons for Flaherty, and in 1986 he led the nation across all NCAA divisions with a .526 batting average. The following season, his power hitting propelled the Huskies into the NCAA tournament. He set nine program records and earned two All-American selections.
 
After five seasons of professional baseball, Degifico joined Flaherty's coaching staff for 28 seasons, and became the first Husky student-athlete to have their number retired in April 2023. USM Athletics is in the beginning stages of raising funds to build and name a hitting pavilion in his honor.
 
 
 
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