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Lee Clement Arena
The Lee Clement Arena is located in Henniker, NH on the scenic campus of
New England College and is the home arena from the New England College Pilgrims and
John Stark High School hockey teams.
His full given name was Leon Everett Clement and he was a lover of athletics,
especially hockey. In fact, because of him, New England College today has a
competitive ECAC hockey program. Back in 1968, he thought it was time for NEC
hockey. But that is getting just a bit ahead of the story.
Lee Clement was native New Hampshire; grew up in Nashua. During World War II, he served in the
US Army and was awarded a Bronze Star after he heroically carried a wounded comrade 10 miles
through hostile, enemy-infested Philippines jungle. In the fall of 1946, after his discharge,
he showed up in Henniker and enrolled at New England College, which had just been founded as a
post-war high-learning institution. Three years later, he was among 65 graduating seniors
awarded NEC's very first baccalaureates.
While he was a student, he worked to get the varsity athletic program started. He also worked in
the NEC Business Office and just before graduation accepted an offer to stay on. During the next
34 years, his name became synonymous with New England College. He served as Business Office
Manager, Registrat, Alumni Director, Admissions Counselor, worked in the Development Office,
and, at one time or another, coached just about everything, primarily soccer, baseball and
basketball. He was fond of noting that he even served as President because he was the
highest-ranking administrator left on campus that day.
Eventually, he became Athletic Director. In the fall of 1968, he began to work with two
students to start a varsity hockey team. In 1969, it became a reality. The irony is that he
had a great love for hockey but never played or coached the sport. All of his myriad
contributions to NEC's athletic program were formally recognized in 1994 with his induction
into the school's Hall of Fame.
Lee died November 26, 1988 of cancer. He was 65 and his passing was felt far and wide.
Throughout his lifetime, he easily and in great quantity collected friends and affection.
He was a caring, sensitive man who you liked to introduce as your friend. He was a man of
integrity, substance, and he understood what being a good human being is all about.
For many years, he dreamed of seeing a hockey rink erected on campus. And it finally happened
but is was 2 ½ years after his death. The building was formally dedicated on May 11, 1991 and
named for Lee. It was, indeed, a good choice - the best choice.
We just thought you'd like to know a little something about our late friend, Lee Clement and why
his name is on the building.
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