The most memorable moment of Sean Atkins' career came against one of Bates' oldest rivals. Atkins scored seven touchdowns and rushed for 302 yards in a 48-28 win over Bowdoin on Nov. 2, 2002. Both marks established school records and earned Atkins NESCAC Player of the Week honors and the Gold Helmet award as the NCAA Division II/III New England Player of the Week.

That afternoon in Brunswick, however, is just one of the memories Atkins created for Bates football faithful. Atkins put together four years of indelible moments in a Bates uniform, setting a number of records along the way. He was rewarded for his outstanding career with a spot in the 2002 Aztec Bowl, facing Mexico as a Team USA Division III All-Star.

On top of the single-game records for touchdowns, points and yards he established against Bowdoin in 2002, Atkins set the school record for rushing attempts in a game with 41 against Hamilton the following week and attempts in a season with 228 in 2002. Atkins recorded his first 1,000-yard season with 1,069 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He finished his career with 2,729 yards and 26 touchdowns, including two touchdown receptions.

Atkins was a First-Team All-NESCAC selection as a junior and senior and earned second-team recognition as a sophomore. He was named NESCAC Player of the Week four times and earned NESCAC Rookie of the Week honors once.

"Sean's combination of power and speed set the standard for future Bobcat running backs," said head coach Mark Harriman. "Sean owns three of the top four rushing performances in Bates football history, and he finished seventh nationally in rushing yards per game his senior year."