After earning a degree from Southern Connecticut State University, Phil Emery had his heart set on obtaining a master’s degree in oceanography from San Diego State University.
But John Coombs, the director of the Bangor YMCA, told him he should contact Bangor Superintendent of Schools Wendell Eaton about a science teaching position and coaching the Bangor High School boys swim team.
Emery wasn’t interested. He didn’t sign the application.
Assistant Superintendent Bill McIntosh then sent him another application.
Emery caved.
“I don’t know what made me do it. I had no interest in teaching. I just figured I’d put off grad school and teach and coach for one year,” said Emery.
Emery fell in love with teaching and coaching.
He stayed on as the coach for another 45 years, annexing 26 state Class A championships, before announcing his retirement this week.
He had taught in the science department for 38 years before retiring. His specialty was earth science.
“It’s time,” said the 68-year-old Emery, a member of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. “I have given everything I can. I can’t give anything more. The program is in good shape. I was going to retire after last season. But we graduated an incredible group of seniors and were bringing in a good group of freshmen so I decided to stay one more year to keep things stable.”
Emery said he loved teaching as much as coaching.
“But during the swim season, between teaching and coaching, I’d put in 18-hour days,” said Emery, who acknowledged that it took more of a toll on him as he got older.
He wanted to spend more time with daughters Julie and Jenny and his four granddaughters, and he also wanted to devote more time to hunting in the fall.
He has always been an innovator.
He implemented the Lane Six program, which took freshmen who had never swum competitively and had his coaching staff teach them the different strokes, starts and turns.
The Lane Six swimmers matured and developed over the years, and it paid huge dividends in their state championship runs. They accrued points that often made the difference.
“The Lane Six kids filled out our depth. They put us over the edge,” said Emery.
University of Maine junior Matt England, who owns the UMaine individual records in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke events, was a Lane Six swimmer. He wound up captaining the Rams and helping lead them to four state titles.
He also writes a swimming newsletter every week, is a BDN blogger, and works with middle school swimmers.
“I’ve worked with Phil for over 30 years, and he always impressed me with his preparation, passion and presentation,” said Bangor High athletic director Steve Vanidestine. “He’s a Hall of Fame coach who always gave more than he received. He was a major contributor to the Wall of Fame at Bangor High School. He’s a good friend, and he will be sorely missed.”
Ritchie Palmer, who swam for Emery in 1973, 1974 and 1975 and helped lead the Rams to a New England swimming championship in 1975, said there are “no words” to describe the effect Emery had had.
“He has affected so many people in a positive way,” said Palmer. “And his impact has transcended beyond the pool.
“When my mother, [Irene], died, he was the first one to come to my house. The same with my father, [Norman],” said Palmer, who noted that he would always attend functions and lend his support to his ex-swimmers and anyone involved in the swimming community.
Vanidestine said Emery was truly involved with his kids in so many ways.
“He was like a family member. He helped a lot of kids get to places they never would’ve gotten to without his help,” he said.
Emery’s “unwavering commitment to every boy who swam for the Rams and his passion for swimming provided a powerful experience that molded and shaped hundreds of young people during his 46 years,” said Bangor assistant superintendent and former Ram swimmer Robby MacDonald.
“Phil has the special ability to connect with every team member in such a way that swimmers and divers believe they are champions in the pool and out. He instilled a tremendous sense of pride in each team member: personal pride, team pride and school pride,” MacDonald added.
Emery said it is the relationships with his swimmers, their parents and the community that he will miss the most.
“When all is said and done, it has really been a wonderful, wonderful family,” said Emery, a former Bangor High School swimmer and a member of the school’s first ever state championship team in 1964.
Emery will still stay involved in swimming as the Zone 1 director for the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Organization. He has been the state director since 1985.