Bubar likes unusual job at Brewer

If life were as Becky Bubar would like it to be, you wouldn’t be reading about her today.

Bubar looks forward to the time when what she is doing is ordinary and she is not singled out; not regarded as one “in the forefront.”

But a female coaching a male basketball team makes Bubar a trendsetter. Think about that because, as she said, “there is nothing unusual about a male coaching a female basketball team.”

Bubar is assistant boys varsity basketball coach at Brewer for head coach Mark Savage. Fans who have seen her on the bench may not have taken particular notice because a female on a male bench is not unusual. Many boys’ teams have female managers and statisticians, but not many have a female coach.

Bubar most recently was an assistant coach for the Brewer girls, and earlier served as girls freshman coach.

A history teacher with a master’s in special education, Bubar played basketball at Central Aroostook in Mars Hill and graduated in 1972.

She has seen much in the two decades since, recalling her freshman year as “very entertaining” when her team played different rules depending on the opposition.

In Canada, they played international rules. Here, they played six-player or six-player rover. The five-player game became reality when she was a sophomore. It’s easy to see why she chose softball in college.

At Brewer, Bubar assisted three former head coaches: Paul Soucy, Val Dionne, and Tom Winston. She could have pursued head coaching positions but couldn’t make the commitment, and found her niche as an assistant, believing her talents lie there.

Her presence is clearly important to Savage and the Witches, whom she serves as a volunteer.

Relationships with the students define her role. “I think of myself as teacher more than coach,” she said. “There are things you do as a head coach, but my strengths are more what I do with the players in practice and games.” She is a sounding board for Savage, and “runs interference” for the players.

“The players need someone to ventilate to, and sometimes I can diffuse issues, get in the middle and suggest this or that. Or just being willing to let people say what they need to say.”

Savage and Bubar had talked often of her joining him, and this seemed the perfect time since the girls are now in the capable hands of Lauree Gott and Kelly Cookson.

The need was obvious, Savage said. His freshman and JV coaches often play or practice at the same time. “She brings a wealth of basketball knowledge (to the game),” he said. “I don’t care about gender, it’s the same game. She’s a great bench coach and does a great job in practice. She is with the kids all the time and knows them better than anyone else.”

Savage had no trouble convincing Athletic Director Dennis Kiah. “I’ve known Becky for a long time,” Kiah said. “She’s a very capable coach and has a great way with the kids. When Mark asked if I had any problem with it, I said absolutely not. She’s having so much fun and is so excited.”

The excitement extends to the team. Each mentioned that senior Chris Horr made a point of talking with Bubar. “Chris came to me and said some very positive things,” Bubar said. “The girls and guys programs work very much together, and the guys are used to seeing me around. They made their decision whether I knew, or did not know, basketball a long time ago.”

In similar situations, the obvious question is the locker room one, but, for Bubar it’s the least obvious. In fact, she thinks it’s a funny one.

“I was the only female coach on a male staff coaching females, and we just had to change it around,” she said.

“Before, I had to go into the locker room and make sure everybody was all ready, then let the coaches in. Now the coaches go in, make sure everything is ready, and I go in. But he (Savage) doesn’t go in (when they’re changing) either. That’s the way we operate here. A coach wouldn’t be in there whether it’s male or female. It’s not an issure.”

The issue, Bubar said, is respect for the players. Who is in the locker room when they are changing “is totally irrelevant.” That attitude reflects the philosophy Savage and Bubar share.

“They are human beings before they are players,” she said. “They are human beings, students, and then players. We have to remember they are high school kids. They do not do this for a living. This is a tremendously committed group who will give you everything they have. We have to remember there is more to life. They’re not all the same talent level, but they give their all and they’re all fun to watch.”