Herbert L. "Herb" Adams

Growing up in Rumford, a place known for its skiers, it was natural that Herb Adams took to skiing, developing his skills on local hills and cross country trails. He attended high school at Gould Academy where he excelled in all four events. In his first year he placed second in the 1952 Eastern Interscholastic Ski Jumping Championships. In 1953 he was Maine X-C champion, placed 3rd in the New England Interscholastic X-C Championships and won the Eastern Interscholastic X-C title. In his final year, 1954, Adams led his team as Captain to the State Championship winning all four events on his way to Ski Meister honors.

His success in high school earned a scholarship to ski and play baseball for the University of New Hampshire where he became a certified Class A ski jumper. He was named ski team captain in 1958 and in 1960 was invited to the Olympic ski jumping tryouts in Lake Placid. From 1961 to 1964 he coached skiing at Lake Placid High School before returning to Maine to coach skiing at Stephens/Rumford High School.

Adams coaching success matched his success as a competitor. In 1965 his team placed 3rd in Maine and 2nd in New England and in 1966 won the New England Championships. The following year the team was 2nd in Maine and 3rd in New England. His winning ways led to his being named Eastern junior National Jumping Coach at Duluth, MN, where his eastern team won the title. From 1968 his Rumford ski teams had a 3rd, two 2nd’s and a 1st in Maine high school championships and two 2nd’s and a 1st in New England. The success of any coach is measured by the success of the skiers they coach as they move on in competition and the list is impressive, Gary Giberson, Buddy Fisher, Jack Lufkin, Fran Lutick, Lee Buotte, Billy Chenard, Avery Caldwell, Scott Broomhall, Tom Grace, Dickie Giberson, Ruel (Major) Lefebvre, Roger Hamanne, Larry Gillis and Greg Cunningham. All skiers who skied in Junior Nationals, Junior Olympics or Olympics.

Following is retirement from teaching and coaching Adams continued his devotion to skiing volunteering at events throughout the country, serving in timing, starting, hill preparation, jump marking, course preparation and stadium setup. The list over more than 30 years starts with the 1976 NCAA Cross Country Championships at his home Chisolm Ski Club in Rumford and continues through 2007 where he worked at no less than six ski events.

Along the way were stops at the 1980 Olympics, World Cup Ski Jumping, Masters ski Jumping, National Biathlon Championships, US National XC Championships, Junior Olympics, 2002 Winter Olympics and many more. This Rumford native has made an impact at every level of competition and continues to devote his winters to his favorite sport. His dedication and years of work have earned Herb Adams a rightful place in the Maine Ski Hall of Fame.