The University of New England community was deeply saddened to learn that James A. Beaudry, longtime coach and director of athletics at UNE and its precursor St. Francis College, passed away on Dec. 3, 2020, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Beaudry, Coach Beaudry, or Coach, as he was called by students whom he taught or coached in the 60s and 70s or who high-fived him in the Alfond Forum, enjoyed a 57-year relationship with the students, faculty, professional staff, and administrators of St. Francis College and the University of New England. Having served as director of athletics at the two schools for a cumulative span of 21 years, coaching a total of five different sports, there exists no figure in the UNE-SFC community who is more beloved, respected, or revered than he.
Beaudry's leadership was paramount to the success enjoyed by the St. Francis teams of the 1960s and 1970s. As the coach of men's basketball, baseball, men's soccer, cross country, and men's golf, he was adored by the young athletes he instructed and inspired and can be seen in almost every sports team photo over his 21-year tenure. If there was a vacancy in his coaching staff, Beaudry was there to fill it. He helped to start the women's basketball team and even served as an associate professor. But beyond that, he made himself a fixture at campus events and community gatherings helping to establish UNE's identity at a critical period in the emerging institution's evolution.
Indeed, as the Red Knights became the Nor'easters, Beaudry's support of the students and student-athletes remained steadfast. As one of UNE's biggest fans, he still made a difference on the sidelines. "No words can describe how much I loved seeing Coach Beaudry in the stands for our basketball games," said women's basketball standout Kelly Coleman '15, D.P.T.'18. "He was a fixture: same seat on the bleachers along the baseline, game in and game out. His support, words of advice, and high fives after the games meant more to me than he'll ever know."
Indeed, Beaudry remained a familiar face on UNE's Biddeford Campus well into his 90s, exercising regularly at the Campus Center and mingling with students, faculty, professional staff, alumni, and administrators.
No words can describe how much I loved seeing Coach Beaudry in the stands for our basketball games. He was a fixture: same seat on the bleachers along the baseline, game in and game out. His support, words of advice, and high fives after the games meant more to me than he'll ever know." - Kelly Coleman '15, D.P.T.'18
"Encountering Jim on campus was always such a pleasant experience," reflected UNE President James D. Herbert, Ph.D. "He always had a warm smile and kind word for everyone he met. Even into his later years, his dedication to UNE and to his own daily fitness routine were clear to see."
Remarkably, Beaudry was able to radiate such immense warmth and friendliness despite a reserved disposition, recalled Lorrayne Carroll, who attended SFC from 1972 to 1975. And, because of that, she said, his kindness seemed all the more genuine. "He was quiet, introspective, and unassuming. He was a very special person and had a personality that is very rare in his field. He was deeply caring, and he made that care abundantly clear in the most unobtrusive ways.
Bernie O'Hara SFC '77, who played for Beaudry on the Red Knights basketball team, also was struck by the dichotomy between Beaudry's reserved, almost formal-appearing manner and the tremendous care he demonstrated to others. "On paper, the words Coach used to greet me when I first met him - 'How do you do? Nice to meet you.' - read as though they came straight from a textbook on formal etiquette," he reminisced. "But his demeanor and tone in delivering those simple words conveyed that level of kindness and compassion that everyone who met him is familiar with, but which words will never do justice."
… his demeanor and tone … conveyed that level of kindness and compassion that everyone who met him is familiar with, but which words will never do justice." - Bernie O'Hara SFC '77
Successful seasons and his entrepreneurial coaching spirit minimizes the lasting and defining impact Beaudry had on the students and alumni of St. Francis and UNE. Alumni routinely describe him as a father figure and as the reason they either came to college or stayed in college. Beaudry did not use aggressive coaching tactics to drive his athletes. Instead, he held his student-athletes to high standards based on mutual respect, and, because of that, he earned their loyalty. "Coach Beaudry was an outstanding role model of gentlemanly behavior," said Peter Chavonelle SFC '65. "As I grew as a coach and a person, his words inspired me throughout my life. For this, I am grateful." Beaudry continued to be a force in the lives of his former students and athletes long after they left campus, keeping in touch with them through calls, letters, and visits when they come to town. He used to describe the UNE-SFC Alumni Weekend as his third favorite family holiday after Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Coach Beaudry was an outstanding role model of gentlemanly behavior. As I grew as a coach and a person, his words inspired me throughout my life. For this, I am grateful." - Peter Chavonelle SFC '65
"He was my coach; teacher; role model; and later, my friend," said Bill Lyons SFC '74, who played basketball for three years under the tutelage of Beaudry. "He never gave up on me, though I know I must have tested his patience. He always looked for the good, the potential, that lies within us all. His lessons were faith, family, integrity, humility, and, of course, hoops ... I have seen him work through personal tragedies without ever complaining. Quite simply, Coach Beaudry was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. I owe him so much."
As much a mark as he left on UNE, Beaudry's impact extended far beyond the campus borders. During his later years, he was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame and the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honor and was named a Maine Basketball Hall of Fame "Legend of the Game." In 2012, Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant named August 19, Jim's birthday, as "James Beaudry Day" and awarded him a key to the city of Biddeford for his contribution to the people of Biddeford through his work as an educator, coach, volunteer, husband and father. In 2018, he was honored with a legislative sentiment in the Maine State House for being an "exceptional coach and even better person," from Senator Susan Deschambault '71 of Biddeford who also served as Beaudry's athletic department assistant on campus as a student.
He always looked for the good, the potential, that lies within us all. His lessons were faith, family, integrity, humility, and, of course, hoops. Quite simply, Coach Beaudry was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things." - Bill Lyons SFC '74
But it is at UNE that Beaudry's legacy is most pronounced. He was named an honorary alumnus in 2001, and, in 2005, was chosen to be the charter inductee into UNE's newly-formed Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2011, the University renamed its Campus Center gymnasium, the "James A. Beaudry Gymnasium" at a ceremony attended by Beaudry and his family as well as former players and coaches. Additionally, the men's basketball team hosts a prestigious tournament each fall named the Jim Beaudry Classic, and the Beaudry name graces an endowed scholarship funded by St. Francis and UNE alumni.
In 2018, the University announced the creation of the James A. Beaudry Award, presented annually to a UNE student-athlete who not only demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship, but also makes a significant contribution to the Athletics Department and to campus life at the University. It was instilling this sense of community in his players and students, afterall, that was at the heart of Beaudry's mission. Recalling a letter that he received from Beaudry during the summer after he finished high school, O'Hara said the note was intended to let him know that Beaudry had heard about all he was doing to make the varsity basketball team as a freshman and that Beaudry looked forward to seeing him on campus. "Despite nearly fifty years passing since I opened that letter, I will never forget my feelings while reading those words. It was the perfect example of the level of importance Coach placed on community: making sure he personally told as many individuals as he could, 'You belong here.'"
Indeed, the James A. Beaudry Award encapsulates the values of its namesake, honoring those who may not necessarily have scored the most points or won the most games but who demonstrated the type of foundation of moral decency and kindness to others that will serve them for a lifetime. It is precisely the type of student that he would want to be remembered for cultivating, said O'Hara. "Coach Beaudry believed his legacy would be measured not by what students accomplished in four years at college but by whether he prepared them for what happens afterwards. He was one of a kind and will truly be missed."
