D-F couple honored as ‘People of the Year’ by Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance

BATH — On Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Hyde School the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance (MAWA) recognized Rich and Cindy Johnson of Dover-Foxcroft as the MAWA People of the Year for their outstanding dedication and support to the sport of wrestling in Maine.

Foxcroft Academy and SeDoMoCha Middle School/Foxcroft Youth Sports head coach Luis Ayala made the award nomination and presented the People of the Year honor to Rich and Cindy Johnson over the weekend. In his speech Ayala said, “It is my privilege and honor to hand out this award to two extraordinary individuals.

Our wrestling community in Dover-Foxcroft has been very fortunate to have people like them in our program. People that just give their all because they love the sport of wrestling and the life lessons it teaches to our kids.

People in the past have asked me what is the key to having a successful program, and without any doubt this is one of those keys to a successful program. Having that unconditional support!

The Johnsons have been a family that have given so much to our wrestling community for the last 20-plus years, ever since their older son started wrestling in our youth wrestling program in elementary school. They started helping in any way they could. They were always the first ones that would volunteer help run our tournaments by bringing items to sell, work in the concessions, help at the head table with the brackets, help announce during the tournament, and by helping set up the gym and cleaning up. Wherever they were needed they helped.

In 2001, we wanted to bring high quality wrestling clinicians to our area, so we decided to start a wrestling camp in the summer. Again they were the ones helping put this great event together by contacting sponsors, helping mail out packages, helping with registrations, and again always helping set up the gym and cleaning up after. We have run the wrestling camp for now 16 straight years and in that time, the Johnsons have also financially sponsored our camp every single year to make it successful.

As their kids have moved on to the middle school team their involvement did not change like so many other parents, because that is what it typically happens. Whenever we had a wrestling meet at the middle school or a tournament they would help in any way that was needed. As their boys moved onto the high school level they also continued to volunteer their time there. What was impressive though, was that through all this they still continued to help with the youth wrestling program as well. They would always help run our annual youth wrestling tournament. Again wherever they were needed they helped out.

What stands out the most for me is their generosity to just give to help someone out. Whenever we traveled to tournaments that we had to stay overnight at a hotel, they would always ask me if somebody needed help to pay for the hotel and they would always pay for that individual’s room. If we would go out as a team to eat and if someone did not have enough money to eat, they would give money to pay for that individual or individuals. When we would order team gear, if someone could not order because they did not have enough money they would just pay for that individual or individuals. This type of generosity was not just now and then, but it was every year.

This generosity did not just happen for members of our team only, but anything to help out the sport of wrestling. When the University of Maine at Orono brought wrestling back as a club, the Johnsons donated to help the program out. They knew this was a great opportunity for our wrestlers in Maine, to be able to continue to wrestle at the next level. Anything to help out with wrestling, they were there.

The list of the things that they have done to help the sport of wrestling in Maine is endless. I just can’t say enough for what they have meant to our program at Foxcroft Academy through the years, as well as to the entire Maine wrestling community.

For this and for so much more, it is again my great pleasure and honor to present this award for People of the Year to Rich and Cindy Johnson.”

After Ayala’s words, Rich Johnson spoke and thanked everyone on behalf of both of he and his wife. His speech touched on how fortunate that they have been involved in wrestling and how the sport has helped his two sons be the man that they are today.

Johnson said it has not only been about winning and losing but the lessons that they have learned about commitment, dedication, and always doing one’s best.

The evening included the induction of four members into the MAWA Hall of Fame. They are Matt Lindsay, a four- time state champion from Penobscot Valley High School of Howland who is currently is the head coach at Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln. Roy Treadwell, a three-times state champion from Sanford High School and part of the 1967 New England championship team. Deanna Rix-Betterman, from Marshwood High School in South Berwick who is the first female inducted because of her high school, national and international achievements. She was voted USA Wrestling Female of the Year in 2009. The other inductee is Joe Pistone, a former University of Southern Maine head coach who during his time brought the program to new levels and achievements.

Contributed photo
WRESTLING PEOPLE OF THE YEAR — Rich and Cindy Johnson of Dover-Foxcroft, third and fourth from right and pictured with friends, were recognized on Aug. 19 at the Hyde School in Bath as the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance’s “People of the Year” for their dedication and support of the sport in Maine. The husband and wife are long-time benefactors of Foxcroft Academy and younger wrestling programs in their community.

Contributed photo
YEARS OF SUPPORT — Foxcroft Academy and SeDoMoCha Middle School/Foxcroft Youth Sports head coach Luis Ayala, left, nominated and then presented the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance’s “People of the Year” honor to Rich and Cindy Johnson of Dover-Foxcroft for their dedication and support of the sport in Maine. The Johnsons received their award during the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame presentation on Aug. 19 in Bath.