The Ollie Berg Award was established in 1969 after the death of Eric “Ollie” Berg.  It is given annually to a recipient for “Outstanding Contribution to Maine High School Basketball”.   

Eric “Ollie” Berg

Born on January 16, 1901, in Sweden

In a lustrous career as player, coach and official, Eric (Ollie) Berg was one of the state's and New England's outstanding basketball figures for more than four decades.

A native of Sweden, he grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts.  He was a four-year starter at guard for the University of Maine and captained the 1924 team.  He set several scoring records (Ollie was the designated foul-shooter when one player did all the team's free throwing).

Berg twice gained All New England honors. At this time, as an undergraduate he began a 40-year career as an official in collegiate as well as scholastic working into his early 60's.

Along with being a highly regarded official he had a distinguished career as a coach.   In three years at Pemetic High (Southwest Harbor), his teams were highly competitive against schools of all sizes. His 1924-'25 club was runner-up in the Eastern Maine tournament made up of mostly large schools.

After a year at Mt. Desert High, teacher-coach Berg spent two years at Hebron Academy -- showing his versatility as his Big Green cross-country team won the national prep championship.

Then came his sterling 18-year career as South Portland High basketball mentor.  His initial "Capers" won the 1931 state Class A championship. His 1938 club took the Western Maine crown.

In all, 17 of his 18 teams qualified for the tournament. There were four runner-up finishers. Berg-guided teams also won five straight Southwestern Maine Conference titles and compiled 44 straight league victories.

The International Association of Approved Basketball Officials recognized its veteran member with a Distinguished Service certificate in 1962.