TOPSHAM – When Marc Sawyer graduated from Westbrook High School in 1991, he said the school helped enrich his life so much, he vowed someday to return the favor.

Now, after being confirmed as the new athletic director at the school, it seems he is keeping his word.

“I’ve actually dreamed and hoped and envisioned that I would come back,” said Sawyer, who left his teaching and coaching positions at Bonny Eagle High School to take the Westbrook job. “Westbrook athletics and Westbrook itself have always been special to me.”

Sawyer, 39, started work on Monday this week, taking over for Todd Sampson, who resigned earlier this year to take the AD job at Mt. Ararat School in Topsham.

Sawyer has not been an athletic director before, but his background is steeped in athletics, starting with his days in Westbrook, where he was an avid athlete, playing soccer, basketball and baseball in the 1980s and ‘90s.

After graduating, Sawyer earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 1996 from the University of Southern Maine. Later, he would earn a master’s degree in health education in 2007 from Southern Illinois University, as well as an advanced education leadership certificate from the University of New England in 2011.

Sawyer said he spent a few years after getting his bachelor’s degree feeling a little unsure of himself, working for a year at a sales job in Baltimore and for four years at Unum, before finally taking on his first job in education, teaching physical education at Sacopee Valley High School from 2002-2005.

After that, Sawyer went to Bonny Eagle, teaching and serving as head baseball coach there for seven years. But, he said, he always had an eye on his hometown, and the chance to be a leader to others.

“My career goal has always been to get involved in leadership,” he said.

Sawyer said it’s a little surreal to step in for Sampson, whom he called “a class guy,” and work in a school where he used to be a student, but he hopes to follow the example of Sampson and the other ADs who came before him.

Superintendent Marc Gousse said Sawyer was one of 34 applicants. It was “his energy and enthusiasm” that made him stand out among the others, Gousse said.

Marc Sawyer, right, a 1991 Westbrook High School grad who has coached and taught at Bonny Eagle High School for the last seven years, is now the Westbrook athletic director.
File photo

TOPSHAM – When Marc Sawyer graduated from Westbrook High School in 1991, he said the school helped enrich his life so much, he vowed someday to return the favor.

Now, after being confirmed as the new athletic director at the school, it seems he is keeping his word.

“I’ve actually dreamed and hoped and envisioned that I would come back,” said Sawyer, who left his teaching and coaching positions at Bonny Eagle High School to take the Westbrook job. “Westbrook athletics and Westbrook itself have always been special to me.”

Sawyer, 39, started work on Monday this week, taking over for Todd Sampson, who resigned earlier this year to take the AD job at Mt. Ararat School in Topsham.

Sawyer has not been an athletic director before, but his background is steeped in athletics, starting with his days in Westbrook, where he was an avid athlete, playing soccer, basketball and baseball in the 1980s and ‘90s.

After graduating, Sawyer earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 1996 from the University of Southern Maine. Later, he would earn a master’s degree in health education in 2007 from Southern Illinois University, as well as an advanced education leadership certificate from the University of New England in 2011.

Sawyer said he spent a few years after getting his bachelor’s degree feeling a little unsure of himself, working for a year at a sales job in Baltimore and for four years at Unum, before finally taking on his first job in education, teaching physical education at Sacopee Valley High School from 2002-2005.

After that, Sawyer went to Bonny Eagle, teaching and serving as head baseball coach there for seven years. But, he said, he always had an eye on his hometown, and the chance to be a leader to others.

“My career goal has always been to get involved in leadership,” he said.

Sawyer said it’s a little surreal to step in for Sampson, whom he called “a class guy,” and work in a school where he used to be a student, but he hopes to follow the example of Sampson and the other ADs who came before him.

Superintendent Marc Gousse said Sawyer was one of 34 applicants. It was “his energy and enthusiasm” that made him stand out among the others, Gousse said.

Marc Sawyer, right, a 1991 Westbrook High School grad who has coached and taught at Bonny Eagle High School for the last seven years, is now the Westbrook athletic director.
File photo