As a player at Farmington State College in the mid-1960s, Irving James (I.J.) Pinkham was mentored by his coach Len MacPhee who stressed “playing the game with dignity and the right way.”

It seemed both men displayed plenty of dignity and success over their coaching careers as they were both inducted as members of the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame’s third class during an Aug. 21 ceremony in Bangor.

Over 700 people attended the sold-out event held at the Cross Insurance Center’s Ball Room to honor Pinkham, MacPhee and 21 other individuals, five “Legends of the Game” who contributed to Maine basketball’s growth, and two high school teams: the 1995 Cony girls and the 1947 Patten boys.

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame has inducted 74 individual members in its three-year existence. Despite his 603 varsity coaching wins, one state championship and five regional titles, Pinkham was surprised at being inducted, and especially, in one of the Hall’s earliest classes.

“It’s an honor and I’m humbled,” he said after Sunday’s ceremony. “But it came as a surprise. I really didn’t think my accomplishments were that big a deal, and certainly thought if it happened, it might be a while.”

Pinkham began coaching in his second year as a Buckfield High School teacher in 1970. He spent five years coaching the Bucks before moving in 1976 to Boothbay Region High School. His teams are known for playing a fast-tempo style and being perennial tourney contenders. Pinkham’s players are also known for being respectful of their opponents, referees and teammates.

Pinkham’s coaching style is modeled after MacPhee, who amassed 322 collegiate victories at the Farmington school in 31 seasons. Pinkham credits MacPhee and his numerous talented players in Boothbay and Buckfield over the past 46 years for his coaching success.

“What is really nice is my college coach Len MacPhee is the same induction class. He is a big part of the reason I got into coaching,” he said. “My induction is also a reflection of all the wonderful players I’ve had over the years, and strong support I’ve gotten from the school administration and community.”

Pinkham’s love of basketball began as a child. He began playing the game as a youth in Millbridge in Washington County. As a youngster, Pinkham loved the game so much his father removed one of the house’s rafters so his son and friends could play basketball inside.

Pinkham played four years for Milbridge High School. Pinkham doesn’t recall how many points he scored in his high school days, but his game-high was 53 against Jonesboro. Pinkham never played in the Class S tournament in Bangor. His team lost to either Jonesport or Beals each year.

After high school, he headed for Farmington State Teacher’s College which later became the University of Maine at Farmington. He chose education as a profession based on the positive influence by a high school teacher. Jack Sumner’s father was also a teacher who made a favorable impression in Down East education circles. The high school in Sullivan is named Sumner Memorial in Jack Sumner’s father’s honor.

In 1965, Pinkham enrolled at Farmington State College and played four basketball seasons. Pinkham’s teammates included two others who made significant contributions as Maine basketball coaches. Dick Meader, a 2015 Maine Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, coached college basketball for 40 seasons. He was a five-time coach of the year, and co-founder of the Pine Tree Basketball Clinic in Waterville. Another teammate, Chandler Woodcock, coached the Mount Blue High School girls team to two Class A State championships. Woodcock is currently the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife commissioner and was the Republican Party’s candidate for governor in 2010. 

During his college days, neither Pinkham nor Woodcock saw a lot of playing time. But both learned the game from MacPhee’s tutelage.

“He had a low-key style. He never yelled, shouted or used profanity. I liked his approach and it is a huge influence on the way I coach,” Pinkham said.

Woodcock described Pinkham as a “coach” even while the two “rode the pine” at Farmington.

“I.J. played quite a bit more than I did, but we mostly watched together and you could tell then he was the ultimate team player,” Woodcock said. “He was always talking about how this player would work better in this slot, or this player combination would work better. He really had a terrific mind for the game at an early age.”

Each of the Class of 2016 inductees had a presenter who spoke about the recipient’s accomplishments. Pinkham chose his son, Tim, who played on the Boothbay Region’s 2001 State Championship team.

Tim Pinkham described what it was like when he and his brother, Tim, played basketball for the man everybody in town calls “Coach.” The younger Pinkham also described his father’s “old school” approach to the game. The son used the example of the coach wanting his players to be clean shaven and dressed appropriately on game day.

“He carried a razor in his med kit for players who hadn’t shaved on game day. Coach also required his players to wear a shirt and tie on game day,” Tim Pinkham said.

The son also talked about how important it was for his father’s teams to leave a good impression on the court. Tim Pinkham said his father was as proud of the several sportsmanship awards won by his teams as he was for the numerous times his teams made the tournament.

He also said a staple of his father’s teams was playing the game, the right way.

“He expects his players to show respect for the refs, opponents, and each other. You’re representing the school and community, which was evident by the many times his teams walked into the Augusta Civic Center and received standing ovations from the Boothbay fans,” Tim Pinkham said.

Tim Pinkham also shared what it was like being the coach’s son. During the previous football season, he had unknowingly injured his arm which hampered his shooting ability during basketball season. During a game, the coach said: “Don’t pass it to Tim, he’s only a defensive player.”

The son also recalled after a tough practice, the coach quickly reverted into becoming a dad when they arrived home.

“When things didn’t go well in practice, the tough coach came out. When he got home, he’d say, ‘Tough practice, and I can yell at you differently than the other kids,’” Tim Pinkham recalled.

Coach Pinkham, 69, has spent 45 years coaching varsity high school basketball and he has no plans to stop. He retired from teaching last year, but “Coach” still has passion for the game.

“I still love the game so I’m going to keep going. I’m definitely coaching next year, and hopefully for as long as I can,” he said.

This summer, he coached his grandson River Pinkham during the Boothbay Region YMCA grade 3-8 basketball camp. Tim Pinkham says there are two more grandkids waiting to play basketball and he hopes they will be part of the next generation of Boothbay players coached by his dad.