Induction Ceremony Presentation Script

“Walter “Walt” Gorneau is a well-known and respected former athlete, educator, and sports official from Wiscasset, Maine. Born in 1942 and a 1960 graduate of Hallowell High School, he has dedicated his life to sports, both on and off the field. Gorneau’s most notable legacy is his extensive career as a sports official. He has been officiating for over five decades, serving as a referee for soccer for 51 years and as a collegiate official for 47 years. He is also a long-time official for both basketball (46 years) and baseball (48 years). In 2015, the Mid-Coast Board of Approved Soccer Officials honored him with the Bob White Award for his dedicated service. He also served as a state evaluator of Class 1 officials for many years. Before his long career as an official, Gorneau was an educator and coach. He graduated from the Aroostook State Teachers College (now University of Maine at Presque Isle) with a degree in physical education and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham (now University of Southern Maine). He taught and coached at schools in Lubec, Gray-New Gloucester, and Boothbay Region before taking a full-time driver’s education position in Wiscasset in 1981, a role he held for 32 years. He retired from teaching in 2000 to officiate full. For his extensive contributions to Maine sports, Gorneau was inducted into the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. In addition to the Bob White Award, he was recognized by the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) for ’50 years of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment.’”

Bio

Walter “Walt” Gorneau is a well-known and respected former athlete, educator, and sports official from Wiscasset, Maine. Born in 1942 and a 1960 graduate of Hallowell High School, he has dedicated his life to sports, both on and off the field.

Coaching and Education

Before his long career as an official, Gorneau was an educator and coach. He graduated from the Aroostook State Teachers College (now University of Maine at Presque Isle) with a degree in physical education and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham (now University of Southern Maine). He taught and coached at schools in Lubec, Gray-New Gloucester, and Boothbay Region before taking a full-time driver’s education position in Wiscasset in 1981, a role he held for 32 years. He retired from teaching in 2000 to officiate full-time.

Awards and Recognition

For his extensive contributions to Maine sports, Gorneau was inducted into the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. In addition to the Bob White Award, he was recognized by the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) for “50 years of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment.”

Walt and Jason Robeson on the Ferry heading for the “Island Showdown” between Vinalhaven and Isleboro, September 25th, 2025.

50 years of reffing!!