After 23 years of focusing on athletics, Old Town High’s Garry Spencer is heading to Central High to focus on academics.

Spencer, who has served in a number of coaching, teaching and administrative capacities for the Indians, accepted a vice principal position at the Corinth school last Friday. He was approved by the school board Monday.

“Sometimes when an opportunity like this comes up you have to take it,” said Spencer, who has been the Old Town athletic director for the past seven years.

Spencer is contractually obligated to stay on the job at Old Town for 30 days, but that depends on how fast the school finds a new athletic director. The position was advertised Wednesday.

There were considerations on both sides pulling at Spencer, he said. He has two daughters still at Old Town, senior Kasey and freshman Darcy; on the other hand, he was eager to work with Central principal Bill Connors, who Spencer knows from Connors’ days as the Hampden AD.

In the end, Spencer said, it came down to a career decision. He recently earned a master’s degree and is eager to work toward a principalship.

“It’s a good move professionally,” he said. “I think [a principal’s position is] the potential route I’m going. We’ll see.”

Spencer coached the Old Town girls basketball for 14 years and was the Indians head football coach for two years and assistant football coach for 15. He also taught physical education and was at one point the head of the vocational co-op program.

Ex-Witch returns

Former Brewer High School three-sport star Andy Nickerson is returning to the Witches as a volunteer assistant varsity basketball coach for the boys team.

Second-year head coach and Bangor alum Mark Reed is pleased to have Nickerson, a two-time second team NEWS All-Maine team member, as part of his staff.

“I mentioned this to him when I first got the job, but the timing wasn’t good for him with his business and family and things,” Reed said. “Then he called this spring and we had a great conversation.”

Nickerson owns Wight’s Sporting Goods and he and his wife Karen have two daughters.

“He has a link to Brewer basketball when it was very successful, he’s great with kids, and the kids need to hear what it takes to succeed from more people than me,” Reed said. “Plus I wanted Andy because we’re very similar as far as our philosophies.

“I know he’s going to be great for our program.”