Al Bean is something of a legend at the University of Southern Maine. He arrived at USM as an 18-year-old baseball player. Now, more than 50 years later, he's newly inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame and getting used to the idea of having a street on campus named after him. 

Bean first came to campus in 1973 and spent the decades that followed building something that outlasted his own playing days: a bigger program, better facilities, and a tight-knit athletics community that still thrives today. Under his leadership, the department grew to 23 varsity sports and nearly 500 student-athletes.These days, he serves as commissioner of the Little East Conference.

We caught up with Bean to talk about the honor and what all his years in Husky athletics taught him about people, persistence, and making your time count. Whether you're a first-year athlete or just finding your footing on campus, pull up a chair. His best lessons reach well beyond the field.

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