To say that Ron is passionate about sports is the epitome of an understatement.  As a star athlete himself from a young age, his goal was to be a coach and a teacher (requirement to be a coach) and to do this in Biddeford.  With absolute dedication and hard work, he feels he has realized his goal beyond anything he had imagined.

 

He navigated his way to a decades long career as a teacher and 3 sport coach at Biddeford High, followed by coaching at various schools including at the college level. He takes his great pride in helping others be the best that they can be. This is topped off by recognition as a legend himself, inducted into every Sports Hall of Fame that Maine has to offer.

 

 

He states his whole life has been sports and family, which includes his wife of 52 years and his 2 children.  He now focuses on supporting the passions of his grandchildren and “trying” to wind down.

 




RON COTE

INTERVIEW DETAILS

Date of Interview: October 7, 2023

Location:  Conference Room, Biddeford, Maine 

Interviewer:  Tom Girard 

Transcriber:  Nicole Morin-Scribner

LINK TO INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

PICTURES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

SELECTED INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

  • Great-grandparents and a duel?!? Grandmother moving from Canada to Biddeford by taxi?!?
  • Living a simple life while growing up centered on family, immediate neighborhood and the Mayfield
  • Impact of community expectations and game atmosphere during Biddeford high school sports championship years
  • The decision to stay at St. Louis High School despite being recruited to go to Biddeford High.
  • Role models and major influences in his life.
  • Attending prep school in Connecticut
  • The positives and negatives of having a strong French background
  • His perspective and the impact on the closure of St. Louis High School
  • Change of parents’ role in their kid’s athletic experience and challenges of coaching your own 
  • How Ron Cote, the coach now sees Ron Cote, the athlete.
  • The decision to leave Biddeford High to coach at University of New England
  • TOUGH question: which sport is preferred: football, baseball or basketball?
  • The transition to this phase of his life

DEMOGRAPHICS

Birthplace:  Biddeford, Maine 

Education: St. Louis High School, St. Thomas More, University of Maine, Orono

Ethnic Identification:  Franco-American