The founder of the Dirigo program is still teaching honor and respect to his wrestlers.
By Bob McPhee
Staff Writer

DIXFIELD – What began as an activity has transformed into a full-fledged program.

All former and future wrestlers at Dirigo can thank the efforts and sacrifices made by Hal Watson. The Cougars have literally taken the initial lessons learned inside a classroom to help prove that the combination of hard work and dedication can eventually reach great heights.

The current Dirigo program was established in 1986 in Watson’s upstairs classroom in the school on Weld Street. The desks and chairs had to be carried out in the hall so the mats could be spread out on the floor. The school didn’t own a full-sized mat and even then wrestlers weren’t allowed to practice in the gym.

“Those were some trying times,” Watson said. “Every day the kids would carry the mats upstairs and we’d go at it in my classroom. We weren’t allowed to practice in the gym. After a full mat was purchased, we practiced at the middle school (located half mile away).”

The program had received the support of principal Tom Ward and things happened quickly.

In 1987 it achieved varsity status and jumped directly into a frying pan, with meets against Class A schools Oxford Hills, Rumford, Skowhegan and several others.

“We took our lumps early on,” Watson said. “It was quite an eye-opening experience to the kids, but my assistants Roger Smith and Spencer Quirion really helped. We didn’t have a very good record, but we ended up winning a couple meets toward the end of the season. It was then that I could see that the kids really started to feel pretty good about what was going on because the team was winning.”

Watson spent those early years trying to find out everything he could about the sport. An opportunity to attend a wrestling camp proved to be an eye-opening experience. The featured clinician was 1972 Olympic champion and former Iowa coach Dan Gable. A one-on-one conversation in the Colby College gymnasium helped simplify things.

“I’ll never forget what he told me that day,” Watson said. “I explained that we were just starting a program and I’d appreciate some advice. He said whatever they do, do it hard and always stress sportsmanship. Try to keep things simple and teach the basics. A wrestler only needs to know how to take an opponent down, how to escape and have a pinning move. After that, then a person can learn more and add things.”

The following season, the athletes started to believe in themselves, discovering the importance of honesty and integrity.

The team finished second in the 1988 Mid State League championship, but the following day former Wiscasset coach Tom Hicks checked the scoring and immediately phoned Watson

to say Dirigo had won the championship.

In 1990, Dirigo won the initial Class C state championship, led by its first ever state champion – Keith St. Laurent at 103.

The Maine Principals’ Association added Class C in order for the smaller schools to earn recognition. Prior to that, the Cougars Dana Whittemore had earned a medal in the 1988 state meet. Several wrestlers from those years still bring back fond memories, including Shad Glover, Gunner Bradberry, Dan O’Brien, Tim Clark and Donny Rand.

“Accomplishing a goal, is huge,” Watson said. “I feel honored to have the chance to have coached people who will do what is necessary to win, through hard work and dedication. When the team won the MSL and state crown, it was done without ever practicing outside the classroom. We were not considered a major sport, there are still people who look at the program in that light.”

Watson had initially introduced wrestling for two seasons in the early 1980s. Klaus “Jack” Schmidt placed third at heavyweight in the state

meet.

“I remember the first time he brought up his newly formed team from Dirigo,” former Rumford and Mountain Valley coach Jerry Perkins said. “His kids all got basically crushed. But, being the type of person he is, he smiled and never let up, never stopped trying to get the program on its feet. He just never got discouraged and it’s a tremendous tribute that eventually Dirigo became a Class C power and even beat Mountain Valley and that was certainly because of Hal’s perseverance.”

After Dirigo placed second in the state meet from 1991-95, Watson stepped away, but the program was in good hands. Glenn Gurney was elevated to head coach and won the 1996 state crown.

Deciding he had remained inactive long enough, Watson returned as the assistant coach in 1999.

“Hal is just a great asset to our program,” Cougars head coach Doug Gilbert said. “He has such a vast knowledge of wrestling. I like to call him a coaches’ coach because he always either picks me, or the team up. He is very positive and knows what to say and when to say it.”

Watson, who has spent 28 years at Dirigo, appears to be easy going. Having taught driver’s education for more than two decades had instilled a degree of self-control. However, he will not accept poor sportsmanship and blaming others for any shortcomings. The true measure of the man is reflected in his philosophy, which can be utilized in any competition.

“I’ve tried following through with these all the time,” Watson said. “When you lose, do it with pride and honor, and win with graciousness and humility. It seems to have been reasonably successful. I still feel good and hope to remain here as long as I feel that I’m making a contribution to the program.”