Gene Fadrigon, who has been a fixture as a high school hockey coach in the Bangor-area, has retired as the head coach at Bangor’s John Bapst High School.
The 69-year-old Fadrigon had recently announced his retirement as the chairman of the diesel, truck and heavy equipment department at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.
In his second stint as the coach at John Bapst, Fadrigon guided the Crusaders to a 32-27-1 record over three seasons. They reached the Eastern Maine Class B final two years ago, losing to Messalonskee of Oakland in the final.
Fadrigon had previously led Old Town High School to four Eastern Maine Class B titles and two state titles during a 15-year stint.
He suffered a broken humerus (upper arm) bone this season when he fell on the bench during a game. He spent two and a half months in a sling and is still undergoing physical therapy.
“It was a tough decision but it is the right one at this point in my life,” said Fadrigon. “I still have the passion to coach and I feel I could still offer a lot. But after my injury in January and with the comeback, I realized I could get hit with a puck or catch an edge [on skates] and I don’t want to go through this again.
”I’m sure I’ll miss it. It has been a great ride. There’s that competitiveness in me and I liked the preparation, the practices and working with the team. I loved coaching the kids at Bapst. They’re awesome. And the administration has been unbelievable. But it’s time to move on,” added Fadrigon.
He quipped that the one thing he won’t miss are the “bus rides.”
Fadrigon’s wife, Betty, has also announced her retirement from the University of Maine after 35 years.