Saucier resigns Owl baseball post
PRESQUE ISLE — University of Maine at Presque Isle baseball coach Leo Saucier has stepped down from the position he has held for the past six seasons. Saucier’s Owls ended this past season with a 16-23 record.
The 16 wins tops the previous program record of 14, which was held by Saucier’s 2009 team.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as head coach of UMPI baseball,” said Saucier, “I hope the program continues to grow.”
Since returning to the dugout in 2008 (he was also head coach of the team from 2002-04 before stepping away a first time), Saucier has been the heart and soul of baseball in northern Maine. Equal parts fundraiser, promoter and recruiter, he did what was needed to bring in student-athletes and provide them a positive baseball experience.
From selling concessions at athletic events to running summer basketball leagues to holding fund-raising auctions and spaghetti dinners, Saucier became a master a fundraising for his program, raising the money necessary for equipment and uniforms, and to take the team to warmer climates in the spring.
Despite the weather, the road games, and the practices inside Wieden Gym — sometimes through April —anyone looking at the baseball team’s roster page cannot help but to notice two things: the program has more student-athletes than any of the other 11 UMPI athletic teams and with players from Canada, California, Texas and Venezuela, there is no stone that Saucier left unturned when searching for the right student-athlete to come up and join the Owls.
“He has done a great deal to improve the student-athlete experience for his players during his second, six-year stint, as the head baseball coach here at UMPI,” said Presque Isle interim athletic director Paul Stone.
“Through hard work and dedication he has grown the roster each year, improving the talent and quality of play annually.”
A native of Millinocket, Saucier accepted a teaching position at UM-Presque Isle in 2000 and assisted with coaching the baseball team. By the following year, he was hired as the head coach.
Saucier will remain a full-time faculty member in the College of Education. A search for a new coach will begin immediately.
