Youth Services

PRESS RELEASE:  June 8, 2010

Ben Underhill inducted in Youth Services’ Hall of Fame

On Tuesday, June 8 Underhill was inducted into Youth Services’ Hall of Fame as the agency’s first-ever Most Valuable Player by its Board of Directors during their annual meeting.

Brattleboro—A glance around Ben Underhill’s office at Putnam Insurance on Western Avenue tells you without a doubt, the two things that he is most passionate about: baseball and young people.

Adorning his office walls are countless scenes of baseball games along with numerous plaques acknowledging his service to Brattleboro’s youth. Several of the plaques record Underhill's many contributions to Youth Services and its programs over more than two decades.

He’s going to need a nail and hammer once again, according to Youth Services Executive Director, Allyson Villars, citing his latest accolade from her organization.

On Tuesday, June 8 Underhill was inducted into Youth Services’ Hall of Fame as the agency’s first-ever Most Valuable Player by its Board of Directors during their annual meeting. The award ceremony, which included moving testimonials from board members emeritus Larry Cassidy and Jesse Corum IV, took place at the Green River Bridge House in Guilford, surrounded by Underhill’s family and many friends and colleagues.

The Hall of Fame is a new way for Youth Services’ board to recognize community members like Underhill who make outstanding and sustained contributions to youth development.

Working with and for young people—particularly through coaching and organizing baseball teams—is Ben’s lifelong passion. He has helped lead the Brattleboro Small Fry Baseball League since he moved to the Brattleboro area.

Ben’s affiliation with Youth Services began soon after that fateful re-location in 1984, as chair of the Bowl for Kids’ Sake which is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ largest fundraiser. By 1987, he had been asked to become president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Advisory Committee and its representative on Youth Services’ board, where he has served now for more than two decades.

In 2002, a rare blood cancer, multiple myeloma, began to take its toll on his energy and mobility, sidelined Underhill from his beloved coaching. In between doctor’s visits, treatments and his work as an owner of an insurance agency, he still manages to attend most of Youth Services’ board and committee meetings however, lending his welcome wisdom and wit to the agenda of the day.

According to Villars, even if Ben Underhill never gets back on the baseball diamond as a coach, he will continue to hit home runs for our community day after day through his unwavering commitment to our area's youth and one of the key organizations that serves them.

To find out how to be a part of this important work with our youth, please call Youth Services at (802) 257-0361 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .