“Over-rated” was the chant that rang out over the Bangor Athletic Field as Husson College players and fans repeated the words over and over. Much to their dismay, the chanting didn’t “rattle” the 1993 District V Player of the Year, Gene Pushee '93. As a matter of fact, the more pressure the better he played.
Gene graduated from Oxbow High School in 1988; he transferred to LSC from the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg in the fall of 1990. When he entered Lyndon, many who knew him thought of him as a somewhat quiet guy. He kept to himself, sitting near the back of the room in his accounting class or nestling in the corner of Skip’s office. So much for first impressions…
In the spring of 1991, Gene joined the LSC baseball team. The “quiet” guy made a lot of noise when he reached the baseball diamond: his first year he was named Most Valuable Player and selected as the All-District Short Stop. Mr. Pushee repeated the All-District Short Stop honor again in 1992. Then, in 1993, Gene was named team captain, chosen as the LSC Men’s Baseball Team MVP, selected as All-District Catcher, and captured the highest honor of all, District V Player of the Year.
When Gene wasn’t playing baseball, he could be found playing intramural basketball, football, wiffleball, volleyball, floor hockey or wallyball. During winter carnival he was a member of Team “FEU,” which, ironically, always placed in the top three if not first (isn’t that right Markie Mark?). Once in a while, you might catch him with a book open; however, you had to be pretty quick to get a glimpse of that.
Now, as we look back, we all realize that Gene was never really “quiet.” In actuality, he was very confident. He used that confidence to be a leader, not only on the field but also in real life. Gene is currently the vice president of Bradford Oil Company, where he runs the daily operations of the Gasoline Division. He has direct and in-direct supervision of more than 150 employees.
Gene has also done some volunteer work since leaving LSC. In 1994, he helped Skip and Hilty coach the LSC men’s baseball team (which he continues to do when they need him). He helped to raise over $50,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association by running and coordinating the MDA Golf Tournament for 5 years. He is also very active with the LSC Alumni Association. Gene has attended LSC Homecoming for the past five years and has served on the LSC Golf Tournament Committee. Most recently, he joined the fundraising committee that will help to raise funds for the Fitness Center and Athletic Enhancement Campaign.
