University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
John B. Packard 1968 - Baseball
One of the best hitters in UVM history, John Packard had a distinguished baseball career both inside and outside the University of Vermont. A 1985 UVM Hall of Fame inductee, his .340 career batting average was a school-record stood for several years.
A first baseman, Packard had outstanding back-to-back seasons in 1967 and 1968, hitting .429 and .373 respectively. Both years, he claimed All-Yankee Conference, All-New England, and Topps All-America honors. As a sophomore, he was second-team All-Yankee Conference as both a pitcher and a first baseman. One of Packard's many honors was being the last captain appointed by UVM coaching legend Ralph Lapointe, and Len Sheflott on the Falmouth entry of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. With Falmouth winning the league championship, Packard was chosen MVP of the playoffs.
After playing several intramural sports at UVM, Packard continues to stay active as a golfer (two handicap) and a fine roadrunner. He has completed the last thee New York Marathons, registering a best of two hours, 58 minutes, and has recently taken up the sport of triathlon.
Packard's business career has been more distinguished than his baseball legacy. Voted one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1973, he started (in 1974) Gemini Valve, Inc., in Raymond, N.H., and, as president has charted its course as an international company with subsidiaries in England and Holland.
