University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
John Linell 1987 - Baseball, Swimming
One of the most outstanding two-sport athletes to wear the Green and Gold, John Linell, a 1997 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, was a captain and MVP of both the baseball and swim teams at UVM.
The 1987 male winner of the Semans Trophy, which signifies leadership, loyalty and service to the University and participation in athletics, Linell came to Vermont because he wanted the opportunity to participate in two sports. A terrific three-sport athlete at Fairfield Prep in Connecticut, Linell was recruited as a single-sport athlete by many schools. UVM appealed to him because he was allowed to compete in swimming and baseball. In spite of playing both sports for four years, Linell graduated in eight semesters with a degree in psychology.
He was captain of both teams as a senior, and was also voted MVP of both teams that year. During his time here, he held varsity records in both sports. The anchorman in all swim relays, One of Vermont's top freestylers in history, Linell was named Vermont Swimmer of the Year in 1987. He was a four-time state champion, a finalist in the New England Championships for four years and held six varsity records when he graduated in 1987.
In baseball, Linell was named to the ECAC Division I All-Star team in 1987 and the All-New England, second team. He won seven of the team's 15 games as a senior. He recorded seven wins as a senior.
One of Linell's UVM coaches, Joe Fischer, looks back with amazement at Linell's athletic career here. "John was a dominant athlete here at UVM from his first weeks as a first-year student to the final days of his senior year in baseball. He loved UVM, and always represented the school in a first-class manner. He did a great deal to influence other UVM athletes to do the same as well."
