ORONO, Maine — Football practices can be grueling. Sometimes, players and coaches need a little inspiration.
At the University of Maine, it is one man’s mission to make sure the level of intensity and enthusiasm never wanes.
Stevie Vanidestine is the undisputed “12th man” for the Black Bears.
“The great part about Stevie, he always brings energy to practice, you can always count on it,” said UMaine senior safety Khari Al-Mateen. “He’s probably one of the biggest marks of consistency in this entire program.”
That’s quite an endorsement, considering Vanidestine is neither a player nor a coach. He serves as a manager for coach Jack Cosgrove’s program.
In August, the 35-year-old Bangor native began his 11th season volunteering his time to the UMaine football team.
“Passionate. Focused. Driven,” were the first three words Cosgrove used to describe Vanidestine, who is a fixture on the practice field and on the sideline at Alfond Stadium.
“This is something that’s a labor of love for Stevie,” Cosgrove said. “We’re fortunate to have somebody who cares so much about the role he plays and the job that he undertakes for us.”
Vanidestine has always enjoyed being around sports and frequently had the opportunity to do so as a youngster. His father, Steve Vanidestine, is the athletics director at Bangor High School, where Stevie Vanidestine (a 1998 graduate) played football and served as a manager for boys basketball and baseball.
Those experiences helped the younger Vanidestine develop a special affinity for athletics and the way they impact young people.
“I’ve been lucky to be around a lot of great coaches in my life, and I’m fortunate to have the great parents that I have,” Vanidestine said of Steve and Paula Vanidestine, Cosgrove, former Bangor coaches Gabby Price, Roger Reed and Bob Kelley, and baseball coach Jeff Fahey.
“I’ve been around the right people all my life,” he said.
Stevie Vanidestine’s younger brother, Joe Vanidestine, was a member of the UMaine football team from 2002-06. That’s when Stevie Vanidestine began spending more time at Morse Field.
Cosgrove saw the interest and invited Vanidestine to help out as a team manager. He jumped at the chance.
Vanidestine has performed various tasks to help the staff keep practices running smoothly. None is more important than when the team goes through numerous scenarios involving down and distance (such as second-and-eight) and where the ball is placed on the field (yard line and hashmark).
Script in hand, Vanidestine sprints to the spot, puts the ball down and calls out the hash mark and/or yard line to make sure the players know the situation.
“Without him, the whole operation wouldn’t run right,” said senior punter Jeff Ondish.
“He brings great excitement to the game. It’s always fun being around him because he brings all that energy,” Ondish added.
Vanidestine, who hustles all over the field, said he did some preseason running to get into shape.
Cosgrove stressed the importance of running a well-organized, high-intensity practice to keeps the players engaged and foster better performance.
Vanidestine knows how to make it happen on his end.
“I try to make it a good pace during practice for the guys because during the game it’s going to be fast,” Vanidestine said.
“I try to keep a positive attitude. If I can provide the players and the team with some life during practice, then it makes the week go by a lot faster,” he added.
This year, Vanidestine has become the mentor to a group of three new team managers, whom he oversees.
There are times, when Vanidestine sees subpar effort or attitude, when he will make his presence felt in other ways.
“If he sees someone slacking a little bit, he’s not afraid to let them know,” Ondish said. “He’s almost another coach in a way.”
Vanidestine incorporates UMaine football practices into an already busy schedule. He works full time in the university’s printing and mailing services, then hits the practice field at 4 p.m. three days per week.
He holds down a part-time job busing tables at Hero’s in Bangor and volunteers at the Bangor Humane Society.
During home games, he handles the switching of the footballs with officials on the Black Bears’ sideline.
Vanidestine’s demeanor makes an impression. Regardless of the situation, he is upbeat.
“He does it with a smile on his face,” Cosgrove said. “He demonstrates the hard work principle that is Maine football, and our players see it and appreciate it. He’s woven himself into the fabric of Maine football.”
Vanidestine said he is trying to make a contribution to a sport that has impacted his life by helping the student-athletes succeed.
“I’m providing a service for UMaine football, for the athletic department, the campus, the community and the state,” he said. “When we do well, it reflects back on the kids, most importantly, and people on campus.”
Earlier this year, Vanidestine, along with the players, coaches and staff members, received a ring celebrating UMaine’s 2013 Colonial Athletic Association championship.
“University of Maine football is a great family to be a part of,” he said.
“I enjoy doing it and I can’t thank coach Cosgrove enough for giving me the opportunity to help out with the football team.”