ESPN’s Thorne describes leadership qualities PVC holds annual summit for student-athletes

BANGOR – When it comes to leaders, ESPN sportscaster Gary Thorne believes one couldn’t do much better than looking to former New York Mets star Keith Hernandez or legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden for examples.

Leadership “oozed out of his pores,” Thorne said of Hernandez’s effort during the Mets’ World Series drive in 1986, and Wooden was unwavering in his beliefs.

Then there was Charles Hotham, the Old Town Little League coach for whom Thorne played as a youngster.

“Charlie treated those of us who played Little League ball with dignity and respect,” Thorne said. “He respected himself, cared about what he was doing, and had an aura about himself of grace and dignity.”

Thorne, an Old Town native and a graduate of Old Town High and the University of Maine, spoke Tuesday to a group of about 150 students from schools belonging to the Penobscot Valley Conference at the PVC’s fourth annual Student-Athlete Summit at Husson College’s Newman Gym.

The purpose of the summit is to get some of the top student-athletes in the conference to think about how leadership skills they develop in sports can relate to every aspect of their life as teenagers and adults.

Thorne flew into town directly from the World Series in California. While he was there, Thorne said, he had a chance to see San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and Anaheim Angels skipper Mike Scioscia.

“I think they displayed tremendous leadership qualities … and I think one of the characteristics that has made both of them successful is a quiet stability that they present to their teams,” Thorne said. “It is one of the things quality leaders have. People like that.”

That ability to stay calm under fire is one characteristic, Thorne said, of an effective leader.

Leaders must also have convictions, he added, as well as dignity, grace, patience, selflessness, and honesty.

“Put those things together and you’re a long way down the road to someone who is a good leader,” Thorne said.

While at the World Series, Thorne also had a chance to see Giants star Barry Bonds. Major League Baseball’s single-season home run record-holder separated himself from his team and doesn’t talk to the media, Thorne told the crowd.

“What’s missing? What doesn’t he have?” Thorne asked rhetorically. “I think part of that is a selfishness. It’s very hard to be a leader if you’re selfish … because leadership is given, not taken. You can’t demand it. You cannot take it.”

Foxcroft senior Trey Merrill, who is a captain on the school’s football team, said he got a lot out of Thorne’s talk.

“Listening to a speaker like that was great,” Merrill said. “It really made me look at myself as a person and figure out how good of a leader I am and see how I can be better.”

Eight students from each school – a male and a female per class – were scattered among tables in the gym with one athletic director at each table. After Thorne’s talk students discussed the qualities of leadership and how they can be better leaders, based on a curriculum developed by the National Center for Student Aspirations at the University of Maine.

Ruth Fitzpatrick, the Husson field hockey coach, led the discussion.

The students were to regroup with their own schools after a lunch break to form a school action plan.

Bucksport athletic director Tish Frazier presented awards to Andy Nickerson of Wight’s Sporting Goods and Mike Turner of Turner Sporting Goods for contributing pizza and T-shirts, respectively.