University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
David W. Lapointe 1969 - Baseball, Basketball
Dave Lapointe, a 1981 UVM Hall of Fame inductee, was one of the top athletes to compete at Vermont in the late 1960s. A three-year starter in basketball and baseball, Lapointe earned All-New England honors in both sports. He scored 1,028 career points in basketball and lead the baseball team in several offensive categories.
The son of UVM Athletic Hall of Famer, Ralph Lapointe, Dave Lapointe teamed up with fellow Hall of Famer Frank Martinuk '70 in the backcourt for two seasons. He averaged in double figures in each of his three years of varsity basketball finishing his career tied for fifth all-time at UVM scoring 15.6 points per game. During Lapointe's basketball career, Vermont won 13 of 14 games decided by one or two points with the 6-3 guard scoring the key basket in seven of the wins. As a junior he was named to the All-Yankee Conference second team and NABC All-New England third team. He was the team's MVP as a senior and picked up NABC All-New England second team honors.
In baseball, Lapointe served as the captain of the 1969 squad and was the starting shortstop his three varsity seasons. He played for his father his first season on the baseball varsity in 1967. He hit .279 his junior year and led the team in runs scored, stolen bases, walks and home runs. He had another superb season as a senior earning second team All-New England honors as the Catamounts went 13-9.
A native of Winooski, Vt., Lapointe received the Semans Trophy in May of his senior year, an award given to the student-athlete for outstanding leadership, loyalty and service to the University and active participation in athletics. He also was selected the outstanding men's senior physical education major.
Following graduation, Lapointe was drafted and signed with the Montreal Expos organization. He went on to play for the Jacksonville Suns in the Southern League (AA) and West Palm Beach in the Florida State League (A) following his father, a former big leaguer, into professional baseball. After his playing days ended, Lapointe concentrated on teaching and coaching basketball. He led the Harwood Union to the Vermont State Class I Championship in 1975 before moving on to South Burlington High School where he coached the Rebels for over 25 seasons.
