To the editor:
It has been my privilege and honor to serve as the volunteer head coach of the Special Olympics Aroostook Snow Dogs basketball team. When I embarked on this journey on Nov. 5, 2011 by welcoming 25 athletes to our first practice, I underestimated what a positive and life-altering experience this would be. In the three short months since we started our season, these fine athletes have exhibited the utmost in dedication, commitment to excellence, sportsmanship, and teamwork, all with bright smiles on their faces! They have represented themselves, their families and communities extremely well, and I am so proud to be their coach.
This hard work is clearly paying off on the basketball court with recent successes in games against the Presque Isle High School girls and boys teams and the Caribou High School boys varsity team. I would like to extend my appreciation to PIHS coaches Terry Cummings and Jeff Hudson, and Caribou HS coach Chris Casavant and their fine players for the positive impact they have had on our players. It was extremely heartwarming to witness the interaction between our Special Olympians and these high school athletes. It was quite clear many life lessons were learned by all involved.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank PIHS Athletic Director Mark White for hosting our Snow Dogs on Feb. 4th during the games between the Wildcat girls and boys varsity teams and the visiting teams from John Bapst. I can’t begin to explain what a powerful impact this had on our players and everyone involved in the Special Olympics program. Mr. White, coach Cummings and coach Hudson went out of their way to make sure our team was acknowledged by reserving us a section in the bleachers, visiting our section to wish us well, having the players stop by to spend some quality time with us, and the public address announcer, Gerry James, providing a heartwarming announcement of the Snow Dogs being the guests of honor. To this last point, Mr. James’ announcement of our presence before the start of the girls’ game and the subsequent two-minute ovation from the crowd had to be one of the most special moments I have experienced in my life. To witness the outpouring of support from every person in the gymnasium, including the visiting John Bapst team and fans, and to then turn and see the smiles on the faces of the Snow Dog teammates, it brought tears to my eyes and sent chills up and down my spine.
It was a moment I will never forget and I know will be engrained in the minds of these Special Olympic athletes for a lifetime. It reminded me of what a wonderful community we live in.
Coach Brian N. Hamel
Presque Isle
