Respected and admired as much for his high, severely tested personal qualities as for the extraordinary scope and prime caliber of his sports and community service, Jim Beaudry spread his sound baseball message in the high school and collegiate ranks literally from one end of Maine to the other, and beyond, in his 38-year career in education.
The all-seasons stand-out at Cheverus High School, Class of 1941, in time was head or assistant coach in seven sports -- baseball, boys and girls basketball, football, soccer and cross-country. Baseball beneficiaries
of the patented Beaudry acumen and positive outlook included Danforth High School and Ricker Classical Institute and College in Aroostook County; Wells and Oxford Hills High Schools and the University of New England in Western Maine.
Product of the fabled Portland Boys Club sports foundry 1n the pre-World War II era, Jim was a radio and communications specialist in the U.S. Army's 109th Anti-Aircraft Battalion that registered the second highest toll of German planes in the great conflict.
Educated at the University of Maine-Orono via the GI Bill.
Beaudry ultimately put his considerable seasoning in war and peacetime to good use, in civic affairs as well as athletic. That breadth of experience made Jim the ideal athletic director, to go .with his coaching, at the University of New England where he taught several courses as an associate professor.
And his readiness to share the fruits of that background has earned Beaudry a bevy of recognition and awards.
These include:
Charter member and Executive Committee member of the Maine High School Coaches Association
Executive Committee, Vice Chairman, District Five, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NGAA).
National Association of Basketball Coaches 1980 merit award.
Biddeford Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
Board of Directors, Diocesan Camping Board, Diocese of Portland.
(Commissioner of the Biddeford Wastewater Commission.
In sum, Jim Beaudry, exemplary follower as well as leader at many stops along an epic sports Journey -- with baseball never far from a great heart.
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