After Mike Kane was hired as the women’s basketball coach at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, his first priority was to find players.
Athletic director Kent Corey provided him with a list containing the names of some potential team members, but Kane didn’t leave any stone unturned. He frequented the student activities table during open house events last fall and also set up a table in the cafeteria in the hope of finding some prospective players.
“I talked to every kid that came by,” said Kane, a native of Farmington whose coaching career spans 17 years at the high school and small-college levels.
Kane’s quest was complicated by the fact the EMCC program was inactive during 2007-08 after water damage caused by broken pipes forced Johnston Gym to be closed for renovations.
Thus, the Golden Eagles went through their first week of practice with only four players. Over the next few weeks, more women turned out.
With the gym now refurbished, and a new fitness center nearing completion, EMCC is better equipped for its return to play in the Yankee Small College Conference.
The Golden Eagles ended the first semester with eight players. Some were former high school athletes, while others were recreational players who wanted to help out.
“I like building things,” Kane said of starting the program from scratch. “That’s something I’ve done in several positions I’ve had.”
EMCC took a 1-7 record into the semester break. The team includes four former high school players, co-captains Theresa Spieldenner of Albion and Nikki Kaulback of Dixfield, along with Sarah Gagne of Berwick and Brit Pinkham of Veazie.
Other players are Beck Sheeley of Calais, Kristen Davis of Newport, Gena Bass of Bucksport and Jen Richards of Topsham. And Kane is hopeful of gaining two or three players for the second semester.
Trying to blend varsity-caliber athletes with recreation-level players has not been easy. Their commitment level varies, so it has been difficult to get everybody on the same page.
“This two months has been the most challenging of my 17 years [in coaching],” Kane said. “I’m not complaining, but it was hard to get anything done, so we haven’t really been able to compete in conference play to this point.”
Kane’s aim is to build a program with young women who are looking for what EMCC has to offer academically and who want to continue playing basketball.
Players at this level fall into different categories, Kane explained. They range from players who weren’t recruited by Division III programs, to players who might not be good enough to play at the North Atlantic Conference or Sunrise Conference level, to those who need to improve their academic standing.
Kane believes EMCC can fill an important void in the region because of its academic offerings. The school offers two-year associate degrees in several areas and also features a nursing program.
Some students might opt for the liberal arts program, which upon successful completion can earn them admission to four-year institutions, including the University of Maine. Kane said moving up in basketball is an option as well via a transfer to a four-year school.
“We can prepare kids, not only academically but if they want to play at the next level,” Kane said. “I tell parents, ‘I have the experience and the background to help your student-athlete do that.’”
Kane, who previously has served as the head men’s coach at UMaine-Augusta and the head women’s coach at UM-Farmington (interim), Mt. Blue High in Farmington and Londonderry (N.H.) High, comes from a coaching family. One brother, Gavin, is the longtime girls coach at Dirigo, and brother Tim is the head girls coach at Mt. Blue.
Mike Kane also talks up EMCC’s academic program and helpful advising staff while on the recruiting trail.
“We absolutely are the most affordable way to enter college,” he said.
Kane said EMCC hopes to add a women’s varsity soccer or club soccer program next fall. With that in place, he and soccer coach Sean Smith would be able to recruit some two-sport athletes.
He appreciates the support of athletic director Corey in helping him reintegrate the women’s basketball program.
“He’s a young guy who’s got a lot of enthusiasm and energy,” Kane said.
Kane will continue traveling around the state in the coming weeks looking for prospective players. He is confident there are plenty of girls out there who would benefit from the EMCC student-athlete experience.
“I’m looking for players who can play at this level, but I’m also looking for players who could play Division III right now,” Kane said. “It is really, truly a building process.”