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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England is saddened to share with its community that Jim Beaudry passed away at the age of 97 on Thursday, December 3. His profound connection to the institution lasted for 57 years. Before it became UNE, Jim served as Director of Athletics and associate professor at St. Francis College for 21 years, while also coaching men's basketball, men's soccer, baseball, men's cross country, and men's golf for the Red Knights.

A truly remarkable gentleman, mentor, administrator, coach, educator, and family man, there is likely no institutional figure who is more beloved, respected, and revered, to this day, than Jim Beaudry. The full depth of his impact on others is immeasurable.

Jim's legacy will always be remembered at UNE. He was the first individual inducted into the UNE Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005; the men's basketball program began hosting an almost annual regular-season tournament, the Jim Beaudry Classic, in 2008; UNE dedicated the James A. Beaudry Gymnasium and Coach Beaudry Court within the Campus Center in 2011; the city of Biddeford named August 19, his birthday, as Coach Beaudry Day in 2012; St. Francis and UNE alumni created the James A. Beaudry Endowed Scholarship in 2016; Athletics established the James A. Beaudry Award as one of its annual student-athlete honors in 2018; and UNE installed a plaque commemorating Beaudry's Corner in the stands at the Harold Alfond Forum court in 2019.

The Portland, Maine native graduated from Cheverus High School in 1941, and then served 34 months in the Army during World War II, which included participating in the D-Day battle of Normandy. Jim returned to the United States and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Maine at Orono ('49 and '52). After teaching in various middle and high schools around his home state, he and his wife moved to Biddeford in 1963 to start at St. Francis.

Jim's leadership was paramount to the success enjoyed by the Red Knights teams of the 1960's and 1970's. But his impact was felt well beyond the confines of competition and his passion for sports. Jim sincerely cared for and loved people, gave his time and soul, and never expected anything in return. St. Francis graduates have routinely described him as a father figure -- he was the reason for their attending or staying in the college. Jim forged life-long bonds with all of those students, who religiously returned over the years to express their gratitude for his positive influence on their lives. 

Many UNE alumni, who only knew him as a loyal fixture in the stands (always in the same seat), often share that his support, words of advice, and high fives were of tremendous value to their experiences. Recent Nor'easter coaches and staff have regularly expressed how they treasured his stories and the generosity of his spirit. Everyone gained from Jim's contributions, as he lived kindness and sportsmanship, and personified class and character.

Added to Jim's legacy were the accolades he received in his later years. As well as being named an Honorary Alumnus of UNE in 2001, Jim also gained membership into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame, the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honor, and the Cheverus Athletics Hall of Fame.

Our thoughts are with Jim's family, friends, and everyone touched by his life in Biddeford and beyond.