By JOE SULLIVAN
New Hampshire Union Leader Sports

Anyone needing help composing a hall of fame induction speech should consult 76-year-old Manchester native Billy Pappas, a man who is fast becoming a wizard in the process.

On July 2 in San Francisco, Pappas will deliver his fifth such address when he is inducted into the Athletic Hellenic Hall of Fame. One of his head-table neighbors will be tennis legend Pete Sampras, who will also become a member of the Greek organization's hall of fame that night. They will join an illustrious group that includes Harry Agganis, Bob Costas, Fred Smerlas, Diana Nyad and Manchester native Gus Zitrides. The only perplexing aspect to the Pappas induction is why it took so long. Many of those who saw him play contend that he is the Granite State's greatest all-around athlete.

DURHAM, N.H.- The University of New Hampshire football team has been ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation in early preseason national polls and rankings.
The Wildcats were ranked No. 8 in the recently released “AnyGivenSaturday.com FCS National Poll” and No. 9 in the “2009 Athlon Sports College Football Annual”. The Wildcats, who advanced to the NCAA FCS quarterfinals in 2008,  finished the season as the Colonial Athletic Association North Division Champion with a 10-3 overall record and 6-2 mark in the CAA. It was the fifth straight appearance for UNH football in the tournament and the fourth time in five seasons UNH made it to the quarterfinals.

DURHAM, N.H. – Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.) of the women's ice hockey team and Sean McNamara (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) of the men's ski team were named the 2009 recipients of the Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year by the University of New Hampshire athletic department at Tuesday night’s annual Senior Banquet.
     The Tina True Memorial Award, given annually since 2007 to two Wildcat athletes for their commitment to strength and conditioning, was presented to Bellamy and Tom Bishop (Newfield, N.Y.), a senior punter/placekicker on the football team.

DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire Athletic Department has announced that football season ticket renewals are now on sale. Current season ticket holders should have received a brochure with the necessary renewal information. CLICK HERE TO RENEW ONLINE NOW.

The deadline to renew season tickets is June 15. All renewal forms received after the deadline will be charged a $25 late fee. Prices range from $84 for general admission tickets to $120 for reserved chairback seats. The UNH home opener will be on September 5 at 12 p.m. in Cowell Stadium.

DURHAM, N.H. – Incumbent starting quarterback R.J. Toman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) completed 7 of 9 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown – a 61-yard strike to All-America tight end Scott Sicko (Stillwater, N.Y.) – in the University of New Hampshire’s annual spring Blue/White scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Cowell Stadium. Sicko ended the game with three receptions for 90 yards.
     The defense recorded three interceptions, including a 27-yard touchdown return by Matt Evans (Hanover, Mass.). Also recording interceptions were Anthony Gorrell (Clayton, N.J.; 25-yard return) and John Duffey (Tarentum, Pa.; 1-yard return).

DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire Athletic Department has announced that football season ticket renewals will begin on Monday, May 11 at 10 a.m.  Current season ticket holders will receive a brochure in the mail this week with information on how to renew online.  The deadline to renew without a $25 late fee is June 15.  Prices range from $84 for general admission tickets to $120 for reserved chairback seats. The UNH home opener will be on September 5 at 12 p.m. in Cowell Stadium.

DURHAM, N.H.- University of New Hampshire defensive back Ryan Hinds (Toronto, Ontario) was recently selected in the second round of the Canadian Football League (CFL) draft. Hinds, who becomes the first Wildcat to be selected in the draft since Etienne Boulay, was selected in the same round in 2006, went 13th overall to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

DURHAM, N.H.— The University of New Hampshire football team will be holding its annual Spring Blue/White Scrimmage on Sat., May 9 at Cowell Stadium. Game time is 12:30 p.m and admission is free.
    It is a perfect time to get an early glimpse of key members of the upcoming 2009 squad as it prepares for the fall season.
    The UNH offense has several key skill players returning in starting positions, such as junior quarterback R.J. Toman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) who has a full year as a starter under his belt. Also returning is senior running back Chad Kackert (Simi Valley, Calif.) who was one of UNH’s top ball-carriers last season, and also senior All-American tight end Scott Sicko (Stillwater, N.Y.), who has been a key target for Toman and will be again in 2009

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire head football coach Sean McDonnell and the Wildcat football program will host a bone marrow testing drive at Holloway Commons on Monday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  “It’s a great cause and a great opportunity,” said McDonnell. “It’s an easy way to give back.” The test is simple and only requires donors to provide a sample of a cheek swab. Including registration time, the process takes less than 20 minutes for each individual to complete.

DURHAM — They may not have been running sprints, but the University of New Hampshire football team got a workout Saturday when they pitched in to get Wagon Hill Park ready for the summer. The team hauled sand, raked leaves, repaired fencing and cleaned up debris from the December ice storm Saturday morning as a community service project aimed at giving back to the town they call home — for at least four years. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY IN FOSTER'S DAILY DEMOCRAT