C. Nels Corey '39

When one looks at the history of athletics at Bowdoin College, one name recurs in its successes through several decades: C. Nels Corey. Considered one of the greatest athletes in the history of the College, he was also a versatile and distinguished coach at the institution he called home.

A member of Bowdoin's Class of 1939, Corey was a Williamson System All-American (1938) and was selected for All-Maine honors in football two of his three years at tackle. He was also named to the All-New England hockey team as a goalie and played first base on the baseball squad. In 1955, he returned to Bowdoin and was named line coach in football, as well as coach of freshman hockey and baseball, before being promoted to the head hockey position. In 1957, Nels became the first lacrosse coach - not just in Bowdoin's history but also in the state of Maine.

In 1959, Corey took the reins of the football squad. In six seasons, his teams went 22-20-1 with two state championships (1960 and 1963).

In 1991, Corey received the prestigious Martin William Souders Award for "a graduate of a New England independent school who has made a distinguished record in sports and in life through high ideals, leadership and accomplishments." In 1997 he was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.

A native of Lynn, Massachusetts, Corey graduated Bowdoin with a degree in mathematics. He resides in Gardiner, Maine, with his wife, Kaye Monaghan Corey.