In the middle of Rudy DiPietro’ s football career at the University of Maine, coach Jack Bicknell took over the program and one day pulled the junior aside.

“You’re going to be my tailback,” Bicknell told DiPietro, who remembers the show of confidence from the man who would go on to coach Boston College during the reign of Doug Flutie.

“He really believed in me,” says DiPietro.

The faith was justified, as the Cheverus High School graduate found success with the Black Bears and was later drafted by the New York Jets. A knee injury ended his prospective career, but DiPietro, a three-sport athlete in high school, will be inducted Sunday into the Cheverus Hall of Fame.

“It’s a surprise,” the 51-year-old says, “and I’m very honored.”

DiPietro, who grew up in Portland and moved to Westbrook 17 years ago, was a four-year member of the basketball, football and track teams at Cheverus.

“I enjoyed basketball the most,” he says, “but I was a much more accomplished football player. I ran track to stay in shape for football.”

On the gridiron, DiPietro played cornerback and running back. He was named as the Stags’ offensive MVP in 1971 and 1972.

At Orono, DiPietro played first for the legendary Walt Abbott and then, in his final two years, for Bicknell, who “talked to you on a personal level,” DiPietro says, adding that the coach was no pushover.

“If he had to get on you, he got on you.”

The tailback led the Black Bears in rushing in 1976 and 1977, setting a single-season record in his junior year when he gained 943 yards. He was voted all-conference for both of those seasons and all-New England in his senior year.

He remains among the top 10 on the all-time school rushing list with 2,289 yards gained.

After being selected in the NFL free agent draft, a knee injury from five years earlier caused the Jets to balk at giving DiPietro a shot.

“I was in the best shape of my life,” he says, “but I never really got a chance.”

Since then, DiPietro has coached young people at various levels – high school football at Cheverus and Westbrook, as well as Westbrook Little League, Tuffy Football and recreational basketball – passing on his knowledge of sports to many local youngsters.

His three sons – Rudy III, Angelo and Gino – have also found success in athletics, excelling in the same three sports that their dad played in high school.

DiPietro will be inducted with six others Sunday afternoon at the Portland Regency Hotel.