Lee St. Hilaire

Lee Matthew St. Hilaire (March 14, 1983 – February 17, 2004) was an American college football quarterback. He played for Maine and Husson. He was considered one of the greatest players in Maine high school history. He died by suicide following his redshirt freshman year.

Early life St. Hilaire was born on March 14, 1983, to Jon and Jean (née Laliberte) St. Hilaire in Augusta, Maine. His parents got divorced when he was in fourth grade. St. Hilaire attended Winthrop High School in Winthrop, Maine, and was a four-year member of the school's football team. He began to gain notoriety as a quarterback when he was still in grade school. He was known for his throwing prowess from a young age. He was the team's starter as a freshman at only 15 years old. As a sophomore in 1999, he led the team to the Maine Class C championship at Gerry Poulin Memorial Field. The team lost after a fourth-quarter field goal from Mattanawcook Academy in the final minute of the game.

In St. Hilaire's junior season, he again led the team to a stellar season. He led the team to an undefeated 12–0 state championship season, the team's first state championship since 1975. Despite not being known as a running quarterback, St. Hilaire used his legs to help lead the team over Maine Central Institute. He finished the game going 14-of-28 for 168 passing yards and 46 rushing yards. Following the season, St. Hilaire was named Maine's Sunday Telegram and Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)'s MVPs. He finished first as Maine's all-time passing leader and finished 28th all-time in the nation for passing yards with 8,272 and 30th all-time in touchdown passes with 87. His 63 percent completion percentage ranked 11th all-time in the nation ahead of notable quarterbacks like Heath Shuler and Ty Detmer. He became the first non-Class A winner of the prestigious award. After his graduation, Winthrop retired his number 11 jersey. which was coached by his uncle. He finished as the school's all-time scorer. On February 7, 2002, he signed his letter of intent to play college football for the University of Maine after considering taking a prep year with Bridgton Academy. He joined his former Winthrop teammate, Clyde Moody. He went to Maine with hopes to compete for the backup position behind incumbent starter Jake Eaton.

After leaving the team, St. Hilaire returned to his alma mater, Winthrop High School, as an assistant football coach. In a quote given to the Kennebec Journal, he admitted that he was not prepared for life as a Division I athlete: "It's 24 hours a day for five years...I can't do that right now. There is too much in my life right now that I don't want to commit to football like that." St. Hilaire described his life as "non-stop football, interrupted by classes and studying," and that just was not what he wanted with his life. He was named team captain alongside Jim Tribou and Nate Roberts. In Husson's first game, despite losing 42–14 to Alfred State, he threw for 160 yards and two touchdowns, including the program's first since restarting. In the team's first-ever home game, St. Hilaire split time with former Oak Hill High School graduate David Chase after suffering from turf toe in the second quarter. They both threw touchdown passes in the team's 38–35 homecoming loss to Mount Ida. X-rays after the game came back negative for any breaks in St. Hilaire's football and he was cleared to play the following week. !! 7 !! 0–7 !! 79 !! 172 !! 45.9 !! 960 !! 5.6 !! 5 !! 6 !! 95.4 !! 44 !! -11 !! -2.5 !! 0

Death On February 17, 2004, St. Hilaire was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine, after suffering from a gunshot wound to his stomach in his apartment that he and his girlfriend, Tia Pomerleau, He was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital with his death being ruled a suicide following an investigation. His death was a shock to his peers as he was described as someone who "never stopped smiling."

St. Hilaire's memorial service was held in the gymnasium of Winthrop High School. He was given an open casket funeral where more than 1,000 people attended.

St. Hilaire was one of five players that played for Winthrop High School who committed suicide from 2003 to 2005.