New Head Coach returns to Maine, arrives in North Bridgton, by way of National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, NY
CONTACT: NICK LeBEL, 207-647-3322 x1217
NORTH BRIDGTON, ME – Bridgton Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Rod Simmons as Head Hockey Coach.
Simmons joins the Wolverine hockey program after three seasons as hockey director and head coach at National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, NY. Most recently, Simmons was General Manager of the Lewiston/Auburn Fighting Spirit of the NAHL. With nearly thirty years of coaching experience at the college, junior, and high school levels, Simmons is known throughout the junior hockey world for developing good players and good young men.
“I could not be more excited about bringing Rod Simmons to Bridgton Academy,” said Academy Head of School, Martin Mooney. “Following an intensive search, Rod stood out as being an outstanding coach, certainly. More than that, though, Rod is driven by the same principles that define our mission at BA. He believes in the power of this experience””on the ice, in the dorm, and especially in the classroom””to change the lives of young men.”
Prior to his time at National Sports Academy, Simmons coached throughout North America. He was Director of Hockey and Head Coach for the Metcalfe Jets Junior Hockey program in Ontario, Canada, as well an assistant coach at SUNY Potsdam. Simmons was also owner of the UCPS & Hockey Development Program, a hockey skills development program, handling all facets of various organizations: recruiting, marketing/sponsorship, transportation, scheduling, accommodations, creating and participating in community outreach programs, and creating daily routines – including practices – all on top of coaching.
“This is a tremendous opportunity, and I could not be more excited to return to Maine and begin my experience with Bridgton Academy””on the ice, and in the community,” said Simmons. “I am committed to developing young men that are dedicated to excellence in academics as well as athletics, and I am ready to continue that commitment here in Bridgton.”
Simmons will arrive in North Bridgton in late June and has already begun preparations for the 2018-19 school year, which begins in North Bridgton on August 25.
Bridgton Academy’s mission is to provide a program for young men in a unique, one-year postgraduate environment to prepare for the competitive rigors of college and beyond. Bridgton Academy is located in western Maine, in the town of North Bridgton. For more information, visit www.bridgtonacademy.org.
