William "Biff" MacLean, Jr.
Graduating class: 1954
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2017
Hall of Fame Category: Athlete
As an all-around athlete there were few, if any, better than William MacLean. Politically speaking, it’s hard to believe, any graduate of Fairhaven High School was better known than the man called “Biff.” Whether you see him as an athlete or a Lifetime Achiever, it doesn’t matter; either way, William “Biff” MacLean is a bonafide Fairhaven High School Hall of Famer.
The 1954 graduate was an athletic icon in high school where, in the sport of football, he earned more varsity letters (5) than years he actually spent as a high school student. Biff was presented the first of 14 varsity letters as an eighth-grade member of the high school varsity football team. He lined up in the backfield and, despite a diminutive frame, ran as hard as any back in the area; for all five seasons. He earned All-Bristol County honors twice and set the tone for a brilliant senior year by running, catching a pass and throwing another for touchdowns in a 21-12 opening day victory over a visiting New Bedford Vocational team.
MacLean also played five seasons of basketball and baseball. He was a three-year letterman in basketball and gained All-Bristol County honors once after helping the Blues compile a record of 62-3 from 1950 to 1953 which was the best three-year basketball record in school history. MacLean was awarded four letters in baseball and was All-Bristol County selection twice. His other letters came in his one year with the tennis team and only season of track where he helped the 1953 team go undefeated by compiling points in the 100 and 220-yard dashes. And, just to show sports didn’t consume all of the time, MacLean served as Class President in both his sophomore and junior years, was Vice-President of the Student Council as a senior, was a member of the Sophomore Chorus, the Key Club and Allied Youth programs.
As a political figure, MacLean served as State Representative and State Senator, played a prominent role in the creation of the Fort Phoenix State Park and the expansion of Southeastern Massachusetts Technical Institute into what became Southeastern Massachusetts University and, later, UMass Dartmouth. He represented southeastern Massachusetts in the state legislature for 32 years and worked tirelessly for his constituents and region. His list of accomplishments is long and impressive and includes numerous bills he sponsored and legislation that benefitted the Town of Fairhaven and the entire South Coast.