Rob Vail Rob Vail holds the 1999 Chet Bulger Award he was presented Sunday evening at the Maine Sports Hall of Fame banquet held in Portland. (Photo Kevin Burnham)

Vail, who has received a full scholarship to play football at the University of Maine, Orono, received the prestigious award at the Maine Sports Hall of Fame 24th Annual Awards Banquet held at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland.

Presenting the award to Vail was Ed ``Skip'' Capone, head football coach at Lewiston High School. Vail was chosen from among six finalists considered for the award.

``I've had the opportunity tonight to meet this young man,'' said Capone, who sat with Vail and his family during the dinner which preceded the awards. ``He's a class act and an outstanding representative of this award.''

The award is named for Chet Bulger, a member of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame who was a perennial all-pro tackle for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League. Vail was introduced to Bulger as the award presentation was made.

Vail, who will compete in the Shriners' 1999 Lobster Bowl football game in July (as will Seahawk teammate Chad Averill), was selected first team All-State offense by the Portland Press Herald and Kennebec Journal following last year's outstanding season. He was also selected first team defense in the Campbell Conference.

Over 400 people attended the Awards Banquet. Eight new inductees to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame were honored, as were ten of Maine's high school scholar athletes, and special achievement awards were made to individuals and the University of Maine's women's basketball and National Champion hockey team.

Seahawk football coaches Tim Rice and Ted Brown attended the event in support of their outstanding player.

Rob is the son of Robert and Ingrid Vail of Ocean Point. His brother, Randy, will be a freshman this fall at Boothbay Region High School.