Nate Priest was looking for the right job, the perfect fit for him to begin his career as an athletic director after coaching at Gray-New Gloucester High School.

The Maranacook High School graduate feels that he has stepped into that perfect position, beginning his tenure today as the new leader of Morse High School athletics.

Priest replaces Scott Walker, who departed recently for Gray-New Gloucester, becoming the new AD for the Patriots.

Married to Tessa two years ago and residing in Gray, the former high school long-distance runner and skier, and University of Maine graduate, feels that he is ready for the challenge of leading the Shipbuilders.

“I am ready, especially since I have had some time to transition into the position, having most of July off and time to reflect and come up with a game-plan,” said Priest, who recently completed his masters degree in athletic administration from Ohio University. “I have been around, getting my ducks in a row, setting up meetings with coaches. I have plans to meet with the coaches and to allow them to run their programs. I will spend a lot of time this first year observing, setting the wheels in motion.”

Early life

Priest began his journey in sports while living in Readfield. He grew up in the Maranacook High School track and field program, competing in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, and Nordic skiing.

Post college, Priest has continued his passion for running, competing with the Dirigo Running Club.

“Running at Maranacook has a deep history, and we were always competitive,” said Priest, who feels his familiarity with the KVAC will help with his new job. “The KVAC has a deep tradition. I can feel that tradition at Morse, walking around the high school, going inside ‘The Pit.’ You can just feel that history and tradition here.”

Priest has worked with Walker to make the transition a smooth one.

“Scott has been helpful, and he has allowed me to form my own opinions on things,” said Priest. “I will figure things out as I go. I do realize that the fans here are passionate, and the coaching staff is also passionate.”

And those facilities … “I am thrilled with the facilities here,” said Priest, referring to the McMann Field Complex. “Morse is in the top five, if not the very top when it comes to facilities for our athletes. It is a great layout. To call McMann my ‘office’ is exciting. Scott definitely left things really well for me.”

One thing Priest knows coming in is the passion that is Morse Shipbuilder athletics. He has already met with the booster club, and has found that everyone involved with the athletic program has been “helpful and friendly.”

For Priest, it comes down to providing the best athletic experience for his athletes.

“Interscholastic athletics is an extension of the classroom,” said Priest. “I want to see these young people build memories, to learn life skills, and hopefully one day look back when they are my age (35) and realize they had great experiences.”

On the field, Morse had a memorable 2016/17 campaign, including KVAC championships in swimming (both boys and girls), solid years in girls soccer, boys soccer and field hockey, and a spring that saw all Shipbuilder squads advance to the postseason. Priest hopes to continue this success, with the fall season set to begin Aug. 14 when Shipbuilder athletes report for their first practices.

“I feel privileged to be a part of Morse,” said Priest. “I am pretty excited to be part of the great Shipbuilder tradition, and my plan is to pick up right where Scott left off.”