PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — James York was the choice out of a field of four quality candidates to be Tim Olore’s successor as head coach of the Wildcat varsity baseball team.
Olore held the position for 28 years, but retired earlier this fall. Olore’s assistant for the last three seasons will be his replacement.
“I was pleased with the field of candidates and the committee enjoyed meeting all four of them, but in the end, it was [York’s] track record of success as a classroom teacher and at the JV and varsity levels that made him the choice,” said SAD 1 Athletic Administrator Mark White.
York is a 2005 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono. He graduated from Skowhegan High School in 2001 and played varsity baseball there. While a college student, he served as an assistant varsity coach at Old Town High School for two seasons.
He began his teaching career in 2005 at PIHS, where he is a member of the social studies department. York coached the Wildcats’ varsity golf team from 2006-12 and the school’s junior varsity baseball team from 2006-10 before becoming the varsity assistant. In 2012, he served as the director of the Presque Isle Recreation Department’s baseball program — also a position formerly held by Olore.
“Jim brings a solid baseball background as a player and coach and knows the expectations the district has for athletes and coaches and we feel he is the person who will be able to maintain the high standards the program has had for the past 28 years,” White said.
York believes his association with Olore is a huge plus heading into his new role, but admitted he is nervous about following his footsteps.
“Working with Coach Olore has undoubtedly helped prepare me for this moment,” York said. “I have the utmost respect for his baseball knowledge and most of all, his accomplishments.
“I think I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about replacing [him], but I am very confident in my abilities to successfully continue a program that he spent so much time building with heart and pride.”
York said his goal is to have his players love the sport and have fun, but also to develop an attitude within his team members that fosters teamwork, sportsmanship and a positive outlook.
“I want to build a close-knit team where we are all there for each other and learn from our mistakes,” he said. “This program cannot continue its success if we do not support one another and be open to constructive criticism when needed.”
The Wildcats are two years removed from finishing the season as the No. 1 team in the Eastern Maine Class B rankings. This past spring, PI lost to Waterville in the preliminary round of the playoffs.
“Jim will be successful. He has a high baseball IQ, knows how to teach the game and will get the most from his athletes,” White said.
“I couldn’t be happier about being given this opportunity,” York added. “I’ve wanted to be a head baseball coach since I graduated high school and I’m very excited about this coming spring.”
