Coach Philpot honored for "Unsung Heroine in Maine Sports Award"

Coach Philpot honored for "Unsung Heroine in Maine Sports Award"
Editor: David Mills


Dover-Foxcroft, ME - At Monday morning’s school assembly, Foxcroft Academy veteran teacher and coach Gene Philpot was honored for recently receiving the Maine Principals’ Association “Unsung Heroine in Maine Sports Award”. The annual award is given to individuals who are positive role models in high school sports in Maine, and, as Head of School Arnold Shorey noted in his introductory speech, “We all know Ms. Philpot is the very best.”

Coach Philpot

Mr. Shorey followed his remarks by inviting a few of Coach Philpot’s former and current players to speak about the influence she has had on their lives. Rae Davis-Folsom ’81 took to the podium first and spoke at length about her freshman year (1977) on the field hockey team, which also happened to be Ms. Philpot’s first year at FA. Rachel Cody ’12, Rachel Keane ’12, and Hilary Kendall ’12 followed Davis-Folsom to the podium, and Cody spoke about how Coach Philpot cares deeply about her players as people, and not just as athletes. Both Davis-Folsom and the trio of current players presented Coach Philpot with flowers.

Mr. Shorey then returned to the podium and read remarks from a few of Coach Philpot’s former players who could not attend the tribute. Kelly Chase Dennis ’99 had this to say:

Davis-Folsom presents Coach Philpot with flowers

“My favorite Coach Philpot story is the time she made us run miles in the absolute down-pouring rain. There was thunder, so we left our sticks behind. All other teams, including the football team had cancelled practice. Why were we running? We beat the Brewer Witches the day before 12 to 1. She said we should have not given that one goal to them...and we paid.  Seriously, I owe some of my success in life to Coach Philpot. She was thorough, detailed and instilled such a great balance of discipline, fun and teamwork.  I have carried those lessons through my journey of three degrees and a successful career.  There isn't another person I can think of that deserves such recognition as Coach Philpot.”

Stephanie Higgins Smith ’88 sent along these remarks:

“I am very pleased to hear that Coach Philpot will be receiving this honor.  It is WELL DESERVED!   I feel very blessed to have played for her and to be a part of her legacy.  I am one of the many who was influenced by her leadership, dedication, commitment and outstanding success.  (And of course, disciplined (rightly so), I seem to recall eighteen 100 yard sprints one late evening).  Many many fond memories!”

(L-R) Hilary Kendall ’12, Rachel Cody ’12, Rachel Keane ’12, and Philpot

Coach Philpot was nominated for the award by Mr. Shorey. In his nomination letter, Shorey emphasized the following key points:

1) Coach Philpot is professional, dedicated, and a positive role model.
2) She has been Foxcroft Academy’s physical education/health teacher and coach for 35 years and puts integrity first.
3) She does this by deflecting accolades and successes onto her students and players.
4) She has more than 350 wins as Foxcroft Academy’s field hockey coach.  Many of her players have gone on to play at the college level.  She instills into her players fundamentals, hard work, proper techniques. and sportsmanship.
5) She is intense but quiet.  She is consistent and is able to keep emotion out of her decision- making.
6) It is often said that class is hard to define but you know it when you see it.  Ms. Philpot is a class act.
7) The traits that make her an outstanding coach are the same traits that make her an outstanding teacher.  She is always prepared for her lessons with a purpose and goal.
8) She is able to break down the content in a manner that students can understand.
9) She earns respect from her students, staff, and parents.  She is a quiet person, and when she speaks, people listen.  She creates the environment for her students/athletes to shine as she always stays in the background.
If there is an award that is perfectly fitted for an individual, it is this award.  For more than 35 years, Ms. Philpot has been FA's unsung heroine.

Congratulations to Coach Philpot for this well-deserved honor!