Biddeford education legends Ron Cote, left, and Robert Hodge will be honored at a Pride Dinner and Silent Auction on Oct. 10 to benefit the Biddeford Education Foundation. COURTESY PHOTO
BIDDEFORD —The upcoming Fourth Annual Pillars of Pride Dinner and Silent Auction will salute the contributions of two generous community partners and longtime contributors to local learning, Ron Cote and Robert Hodge, all while benefitting the Biddeford Education Foundation.
The festivities will run from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Duffy’s Tavern & Grill in Old Orchard Beach. Tickets cost $50 per person and space is limited.
Cote spent 34 years of his professional career as a Social Studies and Health/Physical Education teacher at Biddeford High School. During that time he mentored youth through coaching Varsity football for 22 years; Girls’ Middle School and Varsity basketball, Boy’s Middle School, Varsity and Men’s college-level basketball for 44 years; and Freshmen and Varsity baseball for 15 years.
Along with many state championship titles, Cote has been named to the Maine Sports Legends’ Hall of Honor, Biddeford High School’s Hall of Honor, St. Thomas More’s Alumni Hall of Fame, and SMAA Girls Basketball honored him by naming the Annual Coach of the Year Award in his name. He continues to volunteer for the Biddeford Athletic Association and St. Louis Alumni Club.
Hodge was the valedictorian of his class at St. Louis High School and spent 30 years supporting Biddeford youth as Biddeford Junior High principal, the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Schools. He also coached basketball, softball, and baseball throughout his career.
As an administrator at a time when the district’s enrollment exploded, he led multiple capital projects for new schools by serving on the Building Committee for the new John F. Kennedy School and was instrumental in the construction Biddeford Primary School, and for the new Junior High, which now houses fourth- and fifth-grades students and is called Biddeford Intermediate School.
“Together, Ron and Bob have made a significant impact on the Biddeford community, in both athletics and academics,” said Biddeford Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray. “Their careers mirror the extensive value they place on education and coaching having served Biddeford students for 64 combined years. Ron and Bob are a reflection on the Foundation’s goals — to maximize opportunities for our students in Biddeford — and we are fortunate to have these pillars in our community.”
Proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will support the Biddeford Education Foundation which provides resources outside the normal school budget to augment teaching, encourage academic excellence, and maximize opportunities for students Pre-K through Grade 12. This event is made possible thanks to: Platinum Sponsors including Biddeford Savings Bank, P&C Insurance, and Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution; Gold Sponsor the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club; and Silver Sponsors, Bangor Savings Bank, Haley’s Metal Shop, Inc.. and Northeast Credit Union.
For more information about the Pillars of Pride event and the Biddeford Eduction Foundation, visit the Biddeford School Department’s website, click on the Giving Tab and Foundation link or call Karen Chasse at 391-6885.
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