LEWISTON – The more things change, the more they remain the same.

For over a quarter of a century, everyone knew that coach Rene Chicoine would have the Lewiston High School boys’ tennis team prepared to do battle. Although the old coach has hung up his racket, opposing teams shouldn’t anticipate a cakewalk because Dr. Ron Chicoine has taken over as coach of the Blue Devils.

Ron Chicoine is actually a chip off the block as he has inherited his father’s intense competitiveness. The sport of tennis requires players to maintain a proper balance between their physical and mental skills. The new coach knows first hand how to address those situations.

“I really feel that I have some advantages,” Ron Chicoine said. “I still compete and I’ve had some successes. I’ve also lost some matches. Hopefully, I can help prepare the kids for and during each match. My hope is to provide them with an opportunity to be the best players that they can possibly be.”

Chicoine, 41, grew up around tennis and enjoyed an outstanding career at Lewiston. In 1980, he was a finalist in the state singles tournament. He then played for the University of Maine.

Chicoine jumped at the chance to coach at the high school level. He had coached one year in Orono as a post-graduate and also at the Lewiston Recreation Department.

“I believe Ron will do fine,” Edward Little boys’ coach Norm Gellatly said. “He’s smart and really into the game, so he relates to the kids well. The Lewiston program has always been strong and never ceases to amaze me. The recreation department is the best in the state.”

Ron Chicoine still swings a mean racket and is extremely skillful at maneuvering around the court. He recently teamed with Sun Journal photographer Russ Dillingham to win the doubles championship at the recreation department.

While his father has retired, Chicoine won’t be isolated from his family. His mother Anita Murphy coaches the Lewiston girls’ team.

“My father had a great coaching career,” Chicoine said. “There will always be comparisons because some people will talk about how the team does. They may question the results, but I won’t have any problem with it. I have a thick skin.”

Although the cupboard isn’t depleted, the current Blue Devils are undergoing some rebuilding. The team advanced to the regional final last spring, but it graduated singles players Brian Willer (playing for the University of Southern Maine) and Keith Morin.

The team has a strong work ethic and sophomore Adam Wilding should be solid at No. 1 singles. Mike Burke and Nate Theriault have been elevated to singles. The entire ladder isn’t complete. Nick Bonnefant, Jonthan Damon, Preston Pusard and freshman Jamie Morin have the inside track for the doubles teams.

“Regardless of the situation, I’ve learned something from every coach,” Chicoine said. “I hope that I bring some of those things to my own coaching. I want to be a role model for my players on and off the court. Hopefully, they make the right decisions and have a positive experience.”

Chicoine realizes how important athletics can be in helping to lay a foundation in a young person’s life, but he knows there is another side of life. He is in line to become the chief of anesthesiology at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

The pressure associated with dealing with life and death situations on a daily basis has provided him with a unique outlook on the future.

“Tennis is a game” Chicoine said. “It’s supposed to be fun. I want to try to instill that on the team because they normally don’t have to deal with the

reality of life. They need to keep a proper perspective on things.”

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