ROCKPORT, Maine — Aroostook County was well represented during a recent gathering of Maine athletic directors as the organization recognized two longtime sports reporters — one in print and the other in broadcasting.
Rene Cloukey of WAGM-TV and Kevin Sjoberg from the Star-Herald/Aroostook Republican received media awards for their work in promoting interscholastic athletics in Maine on April 7 at the annual spring conference of the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association held at the Samoset Resort.
Ron Ericson, Washburn District High School’s athletic administrator, nominated Cloukey and Sjoberg, who both have been covering sports in northern Maine since the 1980s.
Ericson said the wide coverage area and commitment to consistent, balanced reporting of all aspects of sports — boys and girls, high school and college — by Sjoberg and Cloukey impressed the selection panel.
“Kevin’s ability to cover local sports from the unique perspective of each newspaper’s interests is not an easy job, but he does it with class. The annual Basketball Preview (Sjoberg produces) is a widely read and kept souvenir for all the athletes,” Ericson said.
Cloukey, whose television station covers not only northern Maine but also western New Brunswick, was also cited for his impressive work ethic and fairness in reporting. “The scope of his coverage on a nightly basis is just incredible and involves a great deal of dedication on his part and the also the staff at WAGM,” said Ericson.
In other MIAA business, the following were recognized:
Dennis Kiah, certified athletic administrator (CAA) at Brewer High School was selected as the 31st recipient of the Robert Lahey Athletic Director of the Year award. Kiah was cited for his outstanding service to students at Brewer High School in addition to the many student athletes that are hosted annually at Brewer whether through regular season league competition or invitational tourneys sponsored through the Maine Principals Association.
In addition, Kiah is acknowledged to being an outstanding member of the KVAC and has developed great relationships through his easy to work with personality.
Gerry Durgin, certified master athletic administrator (CMAA) of Gorham High School was chosen for the Martin Ryan, CMAA Award of Excellence presented annually to an individual who is considered to be in the “best of the best” category in the field of athletic administration.
Susan Robbins, CMAA of Yarmouth HS earned the Gerry Durgin Excellence in Leadership Award presented annually to an individual who has distinguished him/herself as a leader in athletic administration in the state of Maine.
Alfred ”Bunky” Dow, CAA of Mt. Desert Island HS received the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators State Award of Merit award for his longtime service to local and state athletic activities.
John Bernard, CAA of Mountain Valley HS received the Past President’s Memorial Award for his work in the Mountain Valley Conference and was selected from a host of individual league special achievement award winners.
For his special achievement work in statewide athletics, Jeff Sturgis of the Maine Principals Association was presented the Lawrence LaBrie Award.
Blaine Jack, of Sanford received the Special Achievement Award on the Local Level as he has served the Sanford community is managing and directing youth baseball leagues for the past 40 years and has been the official scorekeeper at Sanford for men and women’s basketball for over 30 years.
Academic Scholar Athlete Scholarships of $500 were presented to Thomas Bizier of Livermore Falls High School and Abbie Hutchinson of Yarmouth High School. Scholar essayists receiving $250 scholarships were Dacie Manion of Old Town High School and Benjamin Nickerson of Yarmouth High School.
