CARIBOU, Maine — Anyone who is curious about the secret of Caribou High School’s longstanding tennis success needn’t look too hard.
It’s right out in the open.
Just take a drive through the country’s northeasternmost city on any summer weekday, and kids of all ages will be gathered at the Teague Park tennis courts, having fun and learning the game from John Habeeb.
“The park is right in the center of town and you drive by and John’s out there all day long teaching tennis,” said Caribou High School athletic administrator Dave Wakana. “That’s where he hooks the kids on tennis. That’s where he really teaches them all the skills.
“He loves tennis and he’s really dedicated to the sport.”
Habeeb, 52, has served as tennis director for the parks and recreation department since the summer after his freshman year of college in 1983. He is in his 30th year as the boys varsity tennis coach at the high school and his 27th season as the girls tennis coach at his alma mater.
Habeeb has guided both teams to more than 300 victories. The girls are 335-49 under his watch while the boys program scored win No. 300 against Houlton last week and is 305-97 since he became head coach in 1988.
“You’re planting seeds,” he said of his summer work. “You know you’re not going to see the fruits until the future but that’s what you’re doing. I’ve always loved the sport and it’s given a lot to me so I’m always trying to give back to it.”
The County is pleased to feature content from our sister company, Bangor Daily News. To read the rest of “Caribou’s ‘Mr. Tennis’ perseveres through changing times,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Ernie Clark, please follow this link to the BDN online.
