COACH LUIS AYALA LONG TIME WRESTLING AND SOCCER COACH LUIS AYALA LEAVES POSTS AFTER TWENTY YEARS Citing family matters in making decision
The Coronavirus pandemic and the related suspension of school sports this spring allowed Luis Ayala a rare respite to consider his big picture. Typically spending off seasons coaching both sports at the middle school and youth levels, Luis found himself pondering and thinking about things, and he came to a decision that was not easy for him - to step away from coaching after 20 years. Family reasons were his deciding factor. “His dedication and the amount of time he has spent with both the high school teams and the youth teams in this town is unmatched,” said Tim Smith, Athletic Director at the time. “He’s been a major asset to our Athletic Department.” This departure coincides with the graduation from FA of his younger son Rico, who like older brother Tino played soccer and wrestled for their four years of high school. “I was fortunate to have both of my sons come up through the sports that I coached: wrestling and soccer,” said Ayala, a health and physical education instructor at FA. “The last eight years being involved with them has been great, and with Rico graduating this year and the way the season ended with him in the state final, it took a lot out of me, and I thought, ‘I think I want to get done.’” Add to the mix, Luis’ wife, Angela Stutzman Ayala ’91, is battling Gulf War Syndrome, which began from a spider bite she received overseas that ultimately led to her immune system being compromised. Many symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, and memory problems, plagued Angela for quite some time before doctors could give an accurate diagnosis. Luis wants to be there to support her since both boys are off to college. Luis coached FA’s wrestling program to a 368-51 record and six state championships in 18 seasons. The Pony Wrestlers captured Class C state championships in 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as the 2016 Class B State Crown. In 2019 Luis was inducted into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame. Luis also coached boys’ soccer to 104 victories over 19 years, along with 15 years spent directing the area youth soccer program and three years coaching at Sedomocha. He was named the 2016 Penobscot Valley Conference coach of the year, and last year led the team to one of it most successful seasons. The 10th ranked Ponies reached the Class B North semifinals after upending #7 Waterville 3-2 in the preliminary round and #2 Winslow 2-1 in the quarterfinals. In 2017 Coach Ayala was named U.S. Cellular’s Most Valuable Coach from among thousands of coaches nominated around the country. Luis chose community athletics to be the beneficiary of the $50,000 grand prize! “I’ve always competed and I love to win, but you don’t do it for the wins,” he said. “Looking back, the best memories come from the people I’ve met and the relationships. It’s been fun all the way through.” Excerpts of this article are taken from
You will be missed Coach Ayala!
Ernie Clark’s’77 article in the Piscataquis Observer
2016 Northern Maine Champions
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FOXCROFT ACADEMY
