Izaryk a Maine Black Bear Hall of Famer
Former C Aaron Izaryk (Markham, Ont.) , who is the athletic director and head coach at Bridgton Academy, was inducted into the Maine Black Bears Hall of Fame.
Canadian Baseball Network
Bridgton Academy Wolverines head coach Aaron Izaryk was inducted into the Maine Black Bears Hall of Fame.
Since arriving as a player for the University of Maine in 2001, Izaryk (Markham, Ont.) has made a positive impact in the state from a variety of roles on the way to his current position as the director of athletics and head coach at Bridgton as well as general manager of the Sanford Mainers, a college summer ball team in the New England Collegiate League.
The Wolverines can attest that, since his arrival in 2010, coach Izaryk has re-invented the Bridgton program, creating a full-year experience that shapes tough, dedicated student-athletes. Ninety-seven of his players have gone on to play at the next level and, under his leadership, Bridgton has become a force in New England prep school ball.
More than that, coach Izaryk has been a teacher, mentor, and role model for hundreds of Wolverines on and off the field.
“Aaron Izaryk has been the most influential mentor throughout my baseball career, even before I stepped on Bridgton’s campus,” said Spencer Hill, who graduated in 2020, “I would absolutely not be where I am today without his professionalism. He displays every characteristic of a great leader which is why he has earned everyone’s respect.”
When asked about the experience, coach Izaryk said, “Being inducted into the Maine Hall of Fame has given me a chance to reflect on how many great people I’ve been able to meet, and how many outstanding opportunities I’ve had. There are so many great people already in the Hall of Fame, it’s incredible to be considered a part of that group.”
Izaryk had a .318 career batting average at Maine, earning America East first-team honours three times. Before heading to Maine, he played for the Markham Mariners until minor bantam, then moved on to Team Ontario 16U and 18U.
Izaryk is the head coach of Bridgton Academy
He joked he played for “just about everyone,” playing for East York, the Ontario Blue Jays, North York Knights and Canadian Thunderbirds. He sent out “special thank you’s” to fellow Canadians Mike McRae (Niagara Falls, Ont.), who was then at Maine and gave Izaryk an opportunity, although McRae headed to Niagara the summer before the catcher enrolled.
“Tom Brown, Andrew Green, Rick Johnston, so many great people who helped me out and made me better,” Izaryk said. “Rick selected me for the Canada Games in the summer of 2001, and that was a kick-off point for me. I had always been on good teams, but that Ontario team was 21U and I was 18. Names like Gamin Teague (Brampton, Ont.), Len Elias (Mississauga, Ont.), David Quattrociocchi (Toronto, Ont.), Matt Spatafora (Scarborough, Ont.), Steve Murray (Ennismore, Ont.) and Kyle Leon (Guelph, Ont.).
“We had so many dudes who could flat out play. Not to mention we lost in the Gold medal game to a guy named Jeff Francis, who was relieved by some other guy named Adam Loewen.”
The next June, Loewen (Surrey, BC) was selected fourth overall in the MLB draft by the Orioles and Francis (North Delta, BC) was chosen ninth by the Colorado Rockies.
“I was incredibly fortunate to be around so many phenomenal baseball people,” Izaryk said. “I thank you for all the support through the years.”
Also inducted in Maine’s class of 2021 ...
_ Tom Dexter head coach at Colby College for 15 seasons and a man who also instrumental in the development of Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken youth baseball in central Maine.
_ Ryan Flaherty, who had an eight-year career in the majors while playing for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians. He is now an advance scout and development coach for the Padres.
_ Charlie Furbush, who pitched in the majors for five years with the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners.
_ Jim Graffam, head coach at St. Joseph’s College for eight years, posting a 160-119 record with four NAIA New England championships and four district coach of the year awards.
_ John Kameisha is a senior vice president with the Portland Sea Dogs and has been involved in all aspects of the franchise’s operation since joining in 1993.
_ Stu Lacognata who compiled a 24-9 career record pitching at Maine and made four College World Series appearances with the Black Bears from 1981-84.
_ Ryan Reid, who pitched 10 years in pro ball for the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets and Florida Marlins organizations and had one year of service at the major league level with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
_ Mark Rogers, a first-round draft pick for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004 and pitched 10 years in pro ball, including parts of two seasons in the majors with the Brewers.
_ Matt Rogers set 10 hitting records as a four-year starter at Bowdoin College and has coached youth ball at all levels for the last 21 years.
_ The late Billy Snow, a legendary pitcher and outfielder for South Paris High in the 1950s, who went on to star for the Farmington Flyers, one of Maine’s semi-pro teams.
_ With files from Bridgton Academy, North Bridgton, ME and Portland Press Herald