James McCloskey
James McCloskey attended UMFK 1983 to 1987, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. He was captain of the 1985-1988 UMFK men’s basketball teams; was named the team’s Most Valuable Player from 1984 to 1986; and earned accolades as the top rebounder in District 5 and the state of Maine. The Penobscot Valley High School (Howland, Maine) graduate helped lead his UMFK team to a Northeast College Conference (NCC) championship in 1987, and was a two-time NCC first team selection. He amassed more than 1,000 career points and grabbed 1,000 rebounds during his UMFK career. During his junior and senior years, Jim earned all-state and District 5 all-conference honors. Jim was a four-year veteran and a two-time captain of UMFK’s men’s soccer team. He started every game in goal for the Bengals during his four years on the squad.
Jim is a special education teacher at Mattanawcook Junior High School in Lincoln, Maine, where he coaches the girls basketball team, which has been undefeated during the past three seasons. Jim has coached girls and boys basketball for 13 years, and girls soccer for five years.
When not teaching or coaching, Jim can be found gardening or fly fishing at one of his favorite fishing holes. Jim is known for his generosity and his special gift of teaching both on-and-off the court. He resides in West Enfield, Maine with his wife, Mary. Jim has two grown children: a son, Joseph, and a daughter, Casey.