Portland, ME – The United States Collegiate Athletic Association inducted its newest class into its Hall of Fame on Sunday night, including two members from Central Maine Community College, Jason Cwiklinski and Mike Bridges. The ceremony was held in Portland as part of the 2025 USCAA National Convention.
"We are incredibly proud of both Jason and coach Bridges for their induction into the USCAA Hall of Fame," said Dave Gonyea, CMCC Athletic Director, Men's Basketball Head Coach, and fellow USCAA Hall of Fame inductee.
Cwiklinski, a member of the Central Maine men's basketball and baseball teams from 1996-98, enters the Hall of Fame after being a two-time USCAA 1st-Team All-American and All-Academic in his playing days. On the court, the Buffalo, NY native was part of back-to-back 20+ win seasons, winning the Maine Small College Conference and being selected to the MSCC and NNESCC All-Conference teams.
The forward, affectionately known as "Slinky", currently sits eighth on the men's basketball all-time scoring list with 1,323 points. On the baseball diamond, Cwiklinski helped the Mustangs reach the Small College World Series for the first time in 1997. He was selected to the 1990-00 Men's Basketball All-Decade Team and this year's "60 for 60" list, and is a member of the CMCC Athletics Hall of Fame.
"I am truly humbled by this incredible honor," Cwiklinski said. "While the Hall of Fame is an individual award, it is derived from team success. This recognition is not just a reflection of my efforts, but a tribute to everyone who believed in me and stood by my side. My journey was shaped by the support of family, friends, mentors, coaches, and teammates who inspired me to reach my potential. Progress is not always linear in life, and I am grateful for the second chance coach Gonyea and CMCC gave me. I wouldn't be where I am today without that opportunity."
"Jason had a remarkable career and was truly one of the league's standout players," Gonyea said. "His two fantastic seasons earned him a scholarship and the opportunity to compete at the next level. He was deeply respected by his teammates and exemplified what it means to be successful, not just as an athlete, but as a student and a person. One of Jason's defining traits has always been the way he treats others. He carries himself with humility, respect, and integrity. Jason is not only a talented athlete, but a genuinely outstanding individual."
Bridges was the head coach of the inaugural women's basketball team in 1998-99. The program set a winning tone from the beginning, going 11-3 and winning the Northern New England Small College Conference (NNESCC) championship in its very first season, and reaching the NSCAA National Tournament. With players like future New England Basketball Hall of Famer Lynn Girouard and All-American Ashley Swett, the Mustangs quickly became a team to contend with on the national stage.
They hosted the national tournament multiple times, finished third in the country in 2001, and went undefeated in the regular season in 2003 before ending with 32 wins. When the Yankee Small College Conference formed in 2005, Bridges guided the team to an appearance in the league's first championship game, eventually winning the first of the program's now 12 conference tournament titles in 2009. The Windham, ME native left after the 2010-11 season with a 238-76 career record in 13 campaigns.
"I'm humbled by the honor," said Bridges. "A lot of hard work went into building the program over the years. I'm appreciative of all my assistant coaches and the college community as a whole. I'm proud of every player I had the privilege to coach, because every single one of them took pride in our program and still are to this day. Their success happened to be my success. I'll never forget them and the effort they put in."
"Coach Bridges' record speaks volumes," Gonyea reflected. "A proven winner, he recruited high-character student-athletes and quickly put Central Maine women's basketball on the map. What set him apart was his remarkable ability to inspire his players and bring out their best. One of our All-Americans once told me, 'I wouldn't want to play for anyone else'. That was a sentiment echoed by many who played under him. Coach Bridges wore his heart on his sleeve, and his passion for CM was evident year after year. He pushed, prodded, and persevered, leading his teams to numerous championships. His players embraced the culture he built, and that tradition continues today under coach Andrew Morong. Coach Bridges leaves behind a legacy defined by excellence, dedication, and belief. We are proud to call him coach."
Cwiklinski and Bridges bring the total number of CMCC representatives in the USCAA Hall of Fame to five, joining Gonyea and former men's and women's basketball players Patrick Dempsey and Susie French. They were joined in the 2025 USCAA class by J'Quavious Thurmond from NHTI, Shaquana Owens from Villa Maria College, Tommy Stirling from SMCC, and former executive director of the USCAA Matthew Simms.
