Hamel appointed Maine team coach
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
PRESQUE ISLE — Brian Hamel, coach of the Aroostook Snowdogs’ Special Olympics basketball team, was recently selected to be the head coach of the Maine Special Olympics Team, which will participate in the 2014 USA Games in Princeton, N.J. next June.
Brian Hamel said he applied for the position earlier this summer and after a review of the candidates by the Special Olympics Maine committee, was notified of his appointment by Phil Geelhoed, the organization’s president and CEO.
Hamel will lead a team of 10 Special Olympians from throughout the state. Included on the roster are three members of the Snowdogs — Phil Hanson, Austin Hanson and Tasha Flaherty.
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected to lead this team of fine Special Olympians and to represent the state,” Hamel said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, but most importantly for the athletes who will represent themselves, their families, their communities and the state.”
“My selection to this head coaching position is a testament to all 26 of the Aroostook Snowdogs team members and supporters who represented themselves extremely well on and off the basketball court during our most participation in the Special Olympics state tournament held at the University of Southern Maine in April,” he continued.
“Special Olympics Maine officials witnessed firsthand all the fine attributes each of the Snowdogs possess and I know this reflected positively in the decision to select me as the head coach of the State of Maine team.”
Hamel will continue to coach the Snowdogs during the 2013-14 season and make a return trip to the state tournament in April 2014. Immediately after the season, Hamel will attend a training camp with the entire Maine team (scheduled for early-May 2014) at Camp Tall Pines in Poland to prepare for the USA Games a month later.
“I am so excited, honored and privileged to lead the Maine team, and I’m looking forward to witnessing Maine Special Olympians representing the State of Maine on a national stage in a first-class way,” Hamel said.
