Fiske takes helm of Katahdin Lady Cougars

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The Katahdin varsity girls’ basketball team has a new coach, as Dale Fiske was appointed during the June SAD 25 board meeting.
    Fiske has several years of coaching experience, as the girls basketball and softball coach at Medway Middle School in the late 1980s to the mid ‘90s; in the late 1990s to early 2000, he coached the Schenck junior varsity girls, and while teaching at the school, he was the assistant girls soccer coach and a volunteer assistant to the varsity baseball team.
    Fiske left teaching in 2003 to pursue a business venture, but returned to teaching in 2007 at Katahdin Middle School. He teaches technology education and business education classes at the school. 
Dale Fiske
    “I got back into coaching a couple of years ago with the middle school baseball team and have had a lot of fun with the student athletes,” he said. “I realized how much I missed coaching and when the opportunity arose with this position, I jumped at it.”
    Phil Faulkner and Terry Duffy had most recently coached the Katahdin girls.
    “Terry and Phil have done a great job with the girls over the last couple of years despite dwindling participation in the program,” Fiske said. “The low numbers make it very difficult for any coach and I would hope that we can work toward getting those numbers back up.”
    Fiske said 12 students had signed up with intent to play this season. Tryouts for varsity basketball began on Monday.
    “I hope we can maintain that number for this year and try to build in successive years,” said Fiske. “We will be a young team, with 10 of the 12 students who have signed up comprised of sophomores and freshmen.”
    According to Fiske, he will emphasize an up-tempo style of play, but he will also stress sportsmanship, competitiveness and personal growth through establishing individual and team goals among the variety of coaching responsibilities.
    “I coached our summer league team this year and I was encouraged by the dedication and large amount of desire and love of the game that these kids have,” he said.
    Both Fiske and his players are anxious for the season to start.
    “I want to thank Phil Faulkner, the school administration, and the school board for allowing me this opportunity,” he said.