SAD 46 asked to name athletic field Girls field hockey supporters seek to honor Coach Margaret Veazie

DEXTER – Appreciative of the work that Margaret Veazie has contributed to the girls field hockey program at Dexter Regional High School, a group of supporters asked SAD 46 directors Wednesday to name the field hockey field after her.

Directors referred the request to the board’s facilities committee for a recommendation.

Veazie, a physical education instructor at the school, began serving the district as a field hockey coach in 1997. During her tenure, Veazie’s team won five state titles, four of them consecutively. She resigned as head coach of the program two years ago to follow her daughters’ games at the college level, according to SAD 46 Superintendent Kevin Jordan.

Jordan said Thursday that Veazie decided to resume her work with the high school players and did so last season at the junior varsity level.

“She’s a longtime varsity coach who has been very successful,” Jordan said. “She has done some great things in the community as far as starting up the Heart of Maine Field Hockey Camp and really giving a lot of girls in the community great exposure to field hockey.”

Making the pitch for the Margaret Veazie Field Hockey Field, senior player Ashley Wakefield called Veazie a “great motivator.”

“She’s made the field hockey program what it is,” she said Thursday.

Wakefield said about 10 other players, parents and friends who supported the recognition attended the board meeting.

An update was given at the meeting on the work to acquire land for a new middle and elementary school. Parcels have been identified on the Garland Road, but a purchase cannot be made until the Department of Transportation conducts its traffic study, Jordan said.

“We’re on their timetable right now,” he said. Jordan said he hopes action can be taken next month.

Directors voted unanimously, after an executive session, to extend Jordan’s contract to June 30, 2008. His salary and benefits will be addressed during the budget process.