Meet The '18 Sports Hero's Award Winners

The 2018 Sports Hero's Award winners have been selected and this year's outstanding community sports volunteers come from Sangerville, Belfast and Lincoln.

2018 Sports Hero's Award Winner (Jason Higgins, Sangerville)

Jason Higgins devotes countless hours to youth sports in the Sangerville/Guilford area with Pirate Recreation. It's a program that was formed about 15 years ago.

The volunteer program offers soccer, field hockey, basketball, tee-ball, baseball, softball and golf to kids Pre-K through 6th grade.

Jason started as a coach and coordinator of the younger levels. He eventually took over the director role and still hold that volunteer position today.

Coordinating the various sports, finding volunteer coaches, planning schedules and concessions help and fundraising are all part of what Jason does for his community.

2018 Sports Hero's Award Winner Front Row: Right (Frank Welch, Lincoln)

Frank Welch has helped with local sports efforts in the Lincoln/Mattawamkeag area for nearly a half a century.

His volunteering began back in the 1960's when he began coaching Little League baseball. Over the years, Frank has coached many recreation and town teams - in basketball, softball, football and other sports. He believes sports help young people build character and make friends.

Over the years he also coached some school teams as well.

He spends a lot of time these days with his Precision Dribble program where girls from grades first through fifth practice and perform basketball dribbling routines at halftime for various sporting events such as Harlem Globetrotter games and UMaine games.

2018 Sports Hero's Award Winners (Brent & Kristen Waterman, Belfast)

Brent and Kristen Waterman make up dynamic volunteer team serving youth sports in the Belfast area. They operate a non-profit organization called Triton Athletics and the group offers youth football, baseball and wrestling in Waldo County. All the while promoting physical fitness, sportsmanship and striving for athletic excellence.

All of this means a lot of time spent planning and coaching at practices and events. The is gear to be ordered and snack bars to run. Kristen helps with all of this as well.

Brent and Kristen also volunteer and raise money for the 'Festival of Trees' which benefits Belfast Area High School.

NOTE: Our 2018 winners will be honored for their volunteer service at a special luncheon at Hero's Sports Grille and Entertainment Center in downtown Bangor on November 13th. The Sports Hero's Award program is in its 6th year and is a partnership of Sports Radio 92.9 The Ticket and Hero's Sports Grill.

PAST SPORTS HERO’S AWARD WINNERS

2017

Bernie Oster (Stetson)

Tyler Smith (Brewer)

Tim & Linda Hodgins (Orrington)

2016

Tim Smith (Dover-Foxcroft)

Bette DiAngelo (Greenville)

Josh Campbell (Corinth)

2015

Nick Chiaponne (Orrington)

Dave Wolinski (Newport)