DYER BROOK, Maine — Southern Aroostook has lost two veteran coaches this summer as boys basketball coach Bill McAvoy and girls softball coach Rob Betschner have both tendered their resignations.
Southern Aroostook softball coach Rob Betschner leaps into the air in celebration Saturday afternoon as the No. 1 Warriors beat No. 6 Ashland 14-2 in a Class D North semifinal. (Joseph Cyr)
Southern Aroostook Community School Principal Jon Porter confirmed the resignations and said Monday that the search for replacements continues.
McAvoy served as the boys basketball coach for the past six years, but has taught basketball in the area for about 34 years. He was one of 16 inductees announced for this year’s Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.
“When Bill came to Southern Aroostook, he made an immediate impact on our boys basketball program by bringing stability and our kids played with passion for the game,” SACS principal Jon Porter said. “Bill has had great success at SACS. He guided the boys to the northern Maine finals in 2014, 2016 and 2017. But even more than the wins and losses, Bill cared about his players.”
Betschner was the varsity softball coach for 13 years and during that time, his teams appeared in four regional championship games, including the past two seasons.
“Rob has been a huge asset to the coaching staff here at SACS,” said Principal Jon Porter. “His dedication to the softball program has been outstanding. It is not normal to see coaches last as long as he has in one program. It is testament to his commitment to the team and the school. It has been a pleasure to work with Rob in his capacity as softball coach here at SACS. His passion and enthusiasm for the game and his players is very obvious and is fun to watch. He will be missed next season.”
Under Betschner, the Warriors earned the Northern Maine Softball Umpires Association Sportsmanship Award in 2015 and the Class D North MPA Sportsmanship Award in 2016.
This past spring, the Warriors finished undefeated during the regular season before falling to Penobscot Valley for the second straight year in the Class D North championship.
