Sam Leal, a 2014 graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington, will join the University of Southern Maine Huskies’ men’s basketball coaching staff for the 2014-2015 season. The Huskies’, led by veteran head coach and USM Alumnus Karl Henrikson ’79, open their season on November 1 when they host Division I University of Maine in an exhibition game. The game will be hosted at USM’s Hill Gymnasium on the Gorham campus with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off time.

"Sam is a terrific addition to our staff," noted Henrikson. "During his time as a student-athlete at UMaine Farmington, Sam routinely demonstrated his leadership on and off of the court. He will bring a level of intensity and enthusiasm to the sidelines and the practice courts that will surely connect with the current members of our squad. He has shown his motivation to learn the art of coaching and to contribute to the success of our program; He will be an active and visible presence on the recruiting trail."

The 2014-2015 season will be Leal’s first experience as a member of a collegiate coaching staff. As a member of the UMaine Farmington men’s basketball team, Leal was two-year captain for legendary coach Dick Meader. Leal led the Beavers in assists during his senior season (2013-2014) and helped guide UMF to the championship game of the 2014 North Atlantic Conference tournament. Despite his team falling in overtime, Leal led UMF with a career-high 12 assists in the championship game earning NAC All-Tournament honors. As a junior, Leal helped orchestrate a 2013 NAC regular season championship for UMF. A two-time member of the NAC All-Academic team, Leal was also a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) 2012-2013 Honors Court.

Prior to his collegiate playing career at UMaine Farmington, Leal was a three-sport athlete at York (Maine) High School. Leal played four years of varsity baseball and varsity basketball, a year of golf and a year of football while at York, earning Western Maine All-Conference honors in both basketball and baseball. He was a two-year captain of the basketball team and was the baseball team captain as a senior.

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