NEPSAC Basketball Championship Teams Inducted into Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame
The Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame Class of 2026 induction ceremony was a day to celebrate the “Championship Era” in basketball from 2005-2009 when four NEPSAC championships were won in five years (2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009), all led by Head Coach Whit Lesure.
The day of the Hall of Fame induction began with an open gym where players from those past teams were able to showcase some of their skills on the court. Over fifteen members from the four championship teams laced up their sneakers for a spirited game of pick up basketball with members of the Class of 2025 and 2026 Wolverine basketball teams. The competition, banter, and display of skill provided friends, family, and fans with some fun-filled entertainment and afforded a glimpse into the greatness that earned these men enshrinement into the Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame.
For Hall of Fame Chair Matt Burgess ’88 it was a piece that symbolized why this event is so special. “The Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame is one of my favorite alumni events here at the Academy,” shared Burgess. “The opportunity to recognize excellence in all endeavors, a value documented in Bridgton Academy’s mission and values, is an honor for me.” After guests enjoyed brunch in the Goldsmith Dining Hall, the focus shifted to the lower part of campus for the formal ceremony at Twitchell Chapel. This year’s ceremony featured a new format where a panel of inductees participated in a roundtable question-and-answer session led by former Bridgton Academy faculty members and basketball coaches, Al Lewis and Tony Wright. After each team was officially announced and inducted, two representatives stayed on stage and shared countless stories that highlighted their Bridgton teams and the formula that made each of them championship caliber. Many of their memorable moments are a familiar tale for Bridgton basketball players: first trips to campus, competitive practices, adjustments to being far from home, building toughness, Coach Whit’s drive, working hard academically, and finding the right college fit. Each panel member provided insight into what made their team and year unique and special.
2005: Corey Camphor ’05 and Emmitt Bernard Rimmer ’05 spoke about the ways Coach Lesure brought them together and emphasized their team’s defensive effort. Camphor shared that, “Coach didn’t want you mad at each other, he wanted you mad at him instead. That brought us together.” Rimmer noted, “Nothing brings a team together more than being able to play defense for each other.”
2006: Shavar Bernier ’06 and William Cooper ’06 talked about their team’s underdog, last chance mentality. Bernier said, “What made us special was that we had that underdog mentality and we came together when we needed to.” Cooper admitted, “We had a lot of guys from different walks of life who felt like this was their last chance to get it done.”
2007: Greg Hill ’07 and Cory Vejraska ’07 discussed their trust in each other and how it helped make lifelong memories. Hill noted, “It was the trust we all built within each other and Coach Whit that helped hang these banners,” as he pointed to the four championship banners hanging above them. Vejraska continued, “The true value of the year comes in the memories and the moments playing in Memorial Gym and, now, on Coach Whit Lesure Court.”
2009: Chad July ’09 and Jerrel Harris ’09 both talked about their team’s identity and “never say die” attitude that matched what a year at Bridgton Academy is all about. July shared, “We said ‘We go hard!’ everywhere we went because with coach you had to play hard.” Harris added, “Down 20 points in the NEPSAC Championship game, we fought and clawed our way back to win. That was our identity.” Both July and Harris added final thoughts on the benefits of a year at Bridgton Academy. “If you take what they give you here, it’s hard to lose when you get out into that world,” expressed July. Harris continued, “I’m just forever grateful and thankful for this place.”
The individual posthumous induction of Coach Whit Lesure into the Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame with his four teams was a wonderfully appropriate moment for the young men he led to great success to share with his family and community. Assistant Head of School David Lepage, who joined the Bridgton faculty the same year as Coach Whit, shared a few thoughts of Whit. “He was a coach of coaches,” shared Lepage. “He would sit and talk with other coaches all of the time and help them out. Whatever they needed. That’s the beauty of Whit.” The induction itself was an obvious choice for one of the greatest coaches in New England Prep School basketball history. As one Hall of Fame committee member shared, “Coach Whit’s individual induction was the easiest decision this Hall of Fame committee has ever made.” As a framed letter “B” and a Hall of Fame hat were handed to Marybeth Lesure, all in attendance gave a standing ovation to honor their beloved coach.
