When Ellis Throckmorton received the phone call informing him of his induction into the Husson University Sports Hall of Fame, he was in the middle of laying flooring for his construction business. It was Coach Gabby Price on the other end, a familiar voice with an unexpected message.

For Throckmorton, a 2017 Husson graduate and one of the most dominant linebackers in program history, the honor represents both personal achievement and a reflection of the collective strength of the teams he played on. “We had a good team, good teammates, good coaches,” he said. “I wouldn’t be in this position without them.”

Throckmorton arrived at Husson in 2013 after a brief stint at the University of Maine, where he realized how much he truly missed the game. Growing up in Bangor, Husson was always nearby, though he didn’t initially envision himself playing there. “I remember going to a game in high school where they lost 77–7, and I thought, ‘I’m not going to Husson,’” he admitted with a laugh. “But after a rough first semester at Orono, I realized how much football helped me just be a good human. I needed that structure and that outlet, and Husson was the perfect fit.”

That decision proved transformational. Under Coach Price, Throckmorton became the anchor of a defense that helped the Eagles win three consecutive Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) championships from 2014–16. Individually, he earned All-Conference honors in each of his four seasons, including first-team linebacker recognition in 2014 and 2016.

By the time his career ended, his numbers were staggering: 316 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 46 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. He ranks among the top five in Husson history in nearly every defensive category.

That sense of connection extended into the classroom as well. For Throckmorton, Husson’s small class sizes and personal relationships with professors provided the accountability he needed. “If I’m in a lecture hall with 300 people, I’m not doing the work,” he said. “But if a professor knows me, talks to me, and expects something from me, I’ll do it. Husson gave me that environment, and I needed it.”

Looking back, he credits the university with shaping not only his athletic career but also his personal growth. “Without Husson, I don’t know what my life would look like,” he said. “But I know I wouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame for anything if I didn’t come here.”

To him, football was always about playing for more than himself. “The reason I’m in the Hall of Fame is because of my teammates,” he said. “Football is beautiful because it takes 11 people on every play, actually playing together. I played for those guys as much as I played for myself.”

Since graduating, Throckmorton has channeled his work ethic into another passion: construction. He started out building decks and steadily grew his own residential construction company. “I kind of bit the bullet and went out on my own,” he said. “It’s been a learning experience, but now I can build a house from the ground up. I want to be great at this too, just like I did with football.”

That same drive he showed on the field is now poured into his business. “When you figure out what you want to work really hard at and go do it, this is the kind of outcome that’s possible,” he said. “It’s not guaranteed, but it’s possible. That’s inspiring.”

As with most Hall of Famers, Throckmorton is quick to deflect praise and highlight those who helped him along the way. He credited his coaches—including his Bangor High School coach Mark Hackett, and Husson’s Coach Price and Coach Clark—for “keeping it real” and pushing him to improve. He also pointed to his family, from his parents and step-parents to siblings and cousins, for their constant support in the stands.

“Even my sister, step-siblings, cousins—they were always there,” he said. “Family’s big, and they were always supportive.”

Looking back now, he admits he sometimes wonders if he gave enough, even with all he accomplished. “It’s going to be gone someday, and you’ll wish you gave it more,” he said. “I hope I inspired others to go out there, work as hard as they can, and leave it all behind when they step off the field. Because you only get that time once.”

For Ellis Throckmorton, football at Husson was more than a game. It was a proving ground, a family, and a foundation for life after sports. His induction into the Hall of Fame is not just recognition of what he achieved individually, but also a celebration of the teammates, coaches, and community that shaped him.