SHERMAN, Maine — Seven years ago, Dick Barstow completed an impressive basketball coaching career that came full circle from Sherman to Mars Hill, Waterville to Presque Isle and then back to Stacyville. In all, Barstow is among the top coaches in wins with 660-plus victories, along with four state championships and seven Eastern Maine titles. He also has garnered five Katahdin Valley League championships from 1961-67, along with racking up an 84-game winning streak.
Barstow will be inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame in August, while he is a member of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame and New England Basketball Hall of Fame. He has been named Coach of the Year in Class C three times in the 1980s.
On Aug. 1 at the old Sherman Gymnasium, now the Sherman Recreational Center, Barstow is being honored for his achievements during an open house from 12-4 p.m.
“There really was not any ceremony held for his retirement,” said Bill McAvoy, co-organizer of the event with Errol Hunt. “We just thought it would be nice since he is being inducted into the Maine State Hall of Fame this year.”
Hunt added, “He coached 48 years in The County, starting at the base of it and going to the top of it.”
In 1960, Barstow came to Sherman as a teacher and coach for the Hornets until 1967. A year later, Sherman and Patten consolidated into Katahdin High School.
As Hunt pointed out, he coached all ‘Cat’ teams — Panthers, Wildcats and Cougars.
“Dick has done an awful lot for the kids,” said McAvoy. “He was more than a coach in a lot of ways to a lot of kids.”
“He was a kind person,” Hunt added. “He is a good community person.”
Hunt, who used to put on a free Thanksgiving dinner in Sherman and Oakfield, could rely on his friend.
“He always volunteered to help me,” he said. “He would stay the whole day. He might take a bowl of bread pudding home with him to watch a football game.”
Barstow was also active in his church with the children’s programs.
“He wasn’t a loud member,” said Hunt. “He was there and they missed him when he was gone.”
No matter where he goes, Barstow injects kindness. He is a giving person and continues his charity even in the wintertime in Florida where he takes hot coffee once or twice a week to those who are homeless.
“Somewhere between 25 and 50 cups of coffee,” said McAvoy. “He said if you could hear some of their stories that they tell about why they are homeless, it would make you cry. He also said the number-one item that people will ask for is stockings. And, about a year ago, he started volunteering at a store that supplies clothes to children in need.”
There will be plenty of stories circulating around about Barstow and his legacy during his celebration.
“We want to invite all of the players who can make it to come,” said McAvoy. One of McAvoy’s favorite stories involves Barstow’s love of football. In college, Barstow played running back for Syracuse and was a teammate of Jimmy Brown.
“We had a flag-football league after school in Sherman. Each class had a team and the teachers played, as well. I got him mad one day. I said, ‘For an old man, you are doing pretty good.’ I was a little wise (guy) that day. Dick said, ‘Sunshine.’ And I knew I was in for it. He did not take a fake and he hit me knocking me back about 10 yards and down I went,” McAvoy laughed.
During the open house there will be refreshments and several guest speakers during the afternoon.
“He knows about the celebration. I got his blessings and instructions, “ Hunt laughed.
During his last coaching stint at Katahdin, Barstow contracted Lyme disease. Despite that, he continues his charitable works.
“It is still affecting him,” said McAvoy.
McAvoy and Hunt’s relationship with Barstow started when they were his students. At that time, Barstow played semi-pro baseball and basketball.
“He took me a lot of places that he never had to,” said McAvoy. “I was thankful that he was paying attention. He knew we were poor. He was very generous.”
“I had him as a teacher,” said Hunt. “I really respected him. As the years went by, he said, ‘Please stop calling me Mr. Barstow. It is OK to call me Dick.’ He was not an excessive person, but in his kindness, he is excessive in his own way.”
Barstow, a man who looks much younger than his years, has been making trips back and forth between Sherman in the summer and Florida in the winter for a few years.
“This may be the last season we might see him home,” said Hunt.
McAvoy and Hunt are hosting this open house to say ‘thank you’ to an unselfish, giving coach and friend.
“I noticed very early, kids who he never coached or those he coached against, acted like they had played for him,” said McAvoy.
“He is just a kind person,” Hunt added. “He has continued his unseen generosity and caring.”
Anyone who would like to help offset expenses of the open house and gifts may do so by calling Hunt at 538-6755.
