New England Hall of Fame
/Don Maine// Organizer		2003
The year was 1950 and Don Maine's horseshoe career began. Don would come home from school and pitch many games with his Grandfather. In 1953, while serving his country, he pitched in many double's tournaments with his sergeant. Don's sergeant would request him as a partner. In 1973, Don joined the horseshoe league in Higganum CT, became an NHPA member in 1986 and joined the horseshoe league in Norwich CT in 1993. He has played in over 265 tournaments, maintaining a 50% or better ringer percentage. In 1995 he placed first in the Class C World Tournament, the CT State Championship and the Class BB New England Tournament. He pitches with Simmons horseshoes and throws a double flip. Don was inducted into the CT Hall of Fame in 1966. He also received the CT Meritory Service Award for outstanding commitment and service to the game of horseshoes. Ct has now changed this award to the "Don Maine Award". The first recipient of this award was Ed Mancini. Don also received the Rhode Island NHPA Charter. Don has held multiple NHPA officers in CT and New England. He was elected as President of the New England Horseshoe Pitcher's Association in 1992 and currently holds this position. He has been the CT Treasurer since 1989. One of the duties of President is to compose and mail the NE newsletter to all of the members. He also coordinates the style and delivery of the shirts/hats for the NE Tournaments. As the Treasurer of the CT Association, Don travels to all the CT tournaments and he is responsible for the trophies/plaques, which are given out. Don was the co-founder of the New England Sportsplex Horseshoe league in Vernon, CT, ran various activities for the members of the CT Special Olympic Program and has been the tournament/league director for the CCHC indoor courts since 1998. This season runs from October to April and includes leagues five nights a week and NHPA tournaments every other weekend. The club draws players from Maine to South Carolina for these tournaments. Don is responsible for many new members. This year he organized sanctioned tournaments for league players only (many players had never played in a tournament before) and now some of these players have entered other tournaments in the state. On a personal note, Don is a retired letter carrier with 35 years of service and he was a top-notch duckpin bowler for many years, traveling all over the east cost before turning to horseshoes. Don supports all horseshoe players and his love for the game shows. He is a totally devoted organizer/player of this great sport of horseshoes. Congratulations, Don Maine!