Legendary basketball coach Whit Lesure, who had been the head coach at Bridgton Academy in Maine since 1997, died suddenly earlier this month. He was 66 years old.
A member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, Lesure previously coached at New Hampton School and the University of New Hampshire before coming to Bridgton Academy.
Lesure led Bridgton to multiple NEPSAC championships during his nearly 30 years at the prep school.
“The entire Bridgton Academy community is devastated by the loss of Basketball Coach Whit Lesure, 66, who passed away early this morning after a medical emergency at his home on campus,” the school said in a statement on Jan. 5, according to Jeff Goodman. “Coach Lesure won four NEPSAC AAA championships during his 29-year tenure at Bridgton Academy, earning him admission into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
“He was beloved by his players, as well as the students who turned to him for support in his role as advisor, dorm parent, and college counselor. He was deeply admired and respected by his colleagues on campus and fellow basketball coaches everywhere.”
Goodman went on to share what Whit Lesure meant to him, as well as what kind of person he was.
“This one hits really, really hard for me,” Goodman said. “Forget about the fact that he was a terrific coach, a 4-time NEPSAC champion, someone who was all about developing people. But Whit was such a good guy.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today in this business, as he really helped me as a young journalist breaking into the prep school/recruiting end of things. He was a straight shooter and I going to miss seeing and talking to him. Prayers go out to Whit’s entire family.”