DEXTER, Maine — Kylie Damon, a 2009 graduate of Skowhegan High School who helped lead the Indians to four consecutive state Class A field hockey championships, was introduced as the new field hockey coach at Dexter High School on Thursday.
Her appointment capped a whirlwind of controversy.
Kristy Veazie, who led the Tigers to a 15-2 record and a berth in the Eastern Maine Class C final in her first season last fall, resigned Aug. 10, three days before the beginning of practice.
She took over from her mother, Margaret, who led the Tigers to six state championships and seven Eastern Maine crowns between 1998 and 2010.
Margaret Veazie was one of three people interviewed for the job along with Damon and Damon’s younger sister, Whitney, who will be her sister’s assistant and the JV coach. Whitney also played at Skowhegan.
Margaret Veazie guided the Tigers to their first state title in field hockey in 1998, four in a row from 2000-2003 and another in 2009. She took two years off, 2004 and 2005, in order to watch daughters Kristy and Brittany play college field hockey, but returned in 2006.
Margaret Veazie said she was disappointed that she didn’t get the job and equally disappointed with the chain of events that led to her daughter’s decision to resign.
Margaret Veazie said she and her daughter prefer not to comment on the circumstances leading up to the resignation at this time.
Kristy Veazie’s assistant, Darby Goodreau, also resigned.
Kristy Veazie had served as an assistant to her mother at Dexter High before taking over.
Dexter High School athletic director Roy Pelotte also refused to comment on the situation.
“It’s a personnel matter,” said Pelotte. “They weren’t forced to resign. We wanted them to stay as our coaches. Their resignations were unexpected.”
Pelotte said a committee was appointed to select the new coach and they voted in favor of Kylie Damon.
“We were very fortunate to have two candidates from Skowhegan High,” said Pelotte.
He said it is not only one of the best programs in the state but the Indians are guided by “one of the best coaches in the state” in Paula Doughty.
Doughty has led Skowhegan to 10 state Class A titles in 11 years.
“[The Damons] have very unique and extensive field hockey backgrounds,” said Pelotte. “I’m very excited about them.”
He also said, “This has been a very difficult situation for everyone.”
“At this point, the new coaches and the team have a lot of support. We have some excellent student-athletes on the field hockey team and they can still be very successful. Hopefully, we can move on now,” added Pelotte.
The Damons don’t have any high school coaching experience but coached in the younger age groups, according to Pelotte.
Dexter returns six seniors off last year’s team, including leading scorers Jordyn Bell, Sarah Eastman and Libby Kain. The roster also includes three sophomores and eight freshmen.
Pelotte said Sandy Emerson, who is a physical education instructor at the Dexter middle school, has filled in as the coach.
“She’s been great. She has extensive field hockey experience,” said a grateful Pelotte.
I’m glad this is over. If she is going to quit in a huff than she shouldn’t be teaching youngsters
I’m sure it wasn’t the “Youngsters” that drove her out. My guess is that it was the parents.
Bingo!
Well that’s what happens when the coach doesn’t name the principal’s daughter as captain. The administration in Dexter will drive you out.
That is unfair… and… a very uninformed comment.
Actually as a wife of a former coach that had a similar thing happen it is very true. If you don’t play the kids with “right” names or make them a capt. you get fired or asked to “resign” In Dexter you need to play by their rules!
There are only 16 kids on the team. I think playing time is not an issue.
That’s the truth…heard it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. And you better believe when parents aren’t happy with their son’s/daughter’s playing time, or other ‘issue’, the coach will pay. Look at what happened with D. Dorion at Brewer…former UMaine standout player, experienced coach of 11 yrs. at Brewer…but, school board member (mom) and big wig (dad) don’t like coach…so after bringing the Brewer team from a 0-16 record when she took over, they had improved greatly and hosted a tournament game last year. Very unfair and very similar situation…I have personal experience and am not just spouting words. It is, and always has been the Good Old Boys’ Club, and sadly, continues to be.
Not that I’m disagreeing with you, but the coach doesn’t promote the captain. The team votes on it so that should have nothing to do with the coach.
Did you not read that I am a former coaches wife? I know how the capts. are picked
I’m not against you i was just making a point!
I know sorry for sounding b****y
not surprised at Veazie family’s actions…speaks volumes about them!
I am sure this was a tough decision for all that were involved. I just hope that the parents of the players will step up and teach them that life includes some disappointments. Not all of the players are disappointed by this decision, just too scared to stand up. Please girls, remember that you are a TEAM! Please practice and play, as a team. This experience is about you and you are the only ones that can decide what you take from it. The new coaches really want to help you. Don’t hold things that were out of their control against them.
Welcome to the real world & it ain’t run by the *Dexter better than everyone else rules* either.
Gone are the days when the name bein’ spelled right meant y’all could walk off of the playing field/court and into a front office job at the good ole’ Dexter SWEAT Shoe Shop and be Mr. Blowhards right hand man.
It’s about time the that the ***BEAUTIFIL*** People had to play by the rules that they made up (changed) along the way to fit their WANTS, while everyone else hadn’t a choice but to do as they were programmed, “Cheer on the Team.”
What a joke & it’s finally on the ones who made the rules to get what they wanted….. now the tide’s turned !
Peace & love to all !!! ;<)
HA !!!! LOL !!!
This makes no sense.
You’re right.
The moderator should remove dingdong’s comment. The young lady is minor and, now, innocently involved in the issue. Shame on you dingdong
Prove dingdong Ditch’s coment wrong.
lol…”innocently”
That comment needs to be removed. Putting people’s names on in is horrible. This sounds like it was written by someone in the program, and if so, it needs to stop as this is bullying.
Not bullying when all true.
Hopefully the team will move on and make the new coaches feel welcome.
edited
Best of luck to coach Damon, and good luck to the Veazie’s down the road too. Fantastic family and even better coaches.
It’s time for Dexter’s administration to get the boot! Tired of the “who you know and who you blow” policies. I don’t ask for special treatment for my kids and they shouldn’t be giving special treatment to theirs!
AMEN!! Start right from the top!
Area folks know that for many years there’s been a lot of drama around field hockey and around this family. Allegiance to them by players and their families has been the price of playing. Those who stood in their way were shunned and sometimes bullied.
While I’m certainly no fan of the present administration, this was a gutsy move on their part — whatever the motivation — and they deserve our praise.it’s nice to see this change happen.
You took the words right out of my mouth. When I was a student at DRHS, the family’s influence stretched beyond field hockey and into basketball and other sports teams, the music and theater departments, proms and other social activities, etc. DRHS was a difficult school to attend if you didn’t have the right name, or play the right sports, or participate in the right clubs. I am excited to see this change in the line-up, and I wish the new coaches and the team the best of luck. Let’s just hope the drama ends here.
This administration has totally ruined dexter athletics. First they put a drunk as the softball coach and now removing the Veazies from the field hockey program which they pretty much single handedly made from the ground up themselves. From kindergarten through high school they have won many state championships… but that’s because they play people with “the right last name” you people are pathetic.
As far as who built the field hockey program from the ground up, I think Jill Goulette Jones might take issue with you. And, let’s not forget, the Veazies both resigned their coaching positions.
1. Mrs. Veazie resigned as coach after the 2010 season. She wasn’t removed.
2. Miss Veazie resigned before the 2012 season even began, before the first practice. She wasn’t removed.
3. When the “coach” becomes more important than the student athletes, then there’s a problem.
4. Kudos to the administration for finally ending this silliness.