About

There is an old adage in competitive athletics that says, “A good big man is always better than a good small man.” As with all old adages and rules, there are exceptions and George is a fine example of just such an exception. George has, in many ways, belied that old adage. Not simply in the sense of his physical stature, but his commitment to Amesbury athletics, his commitment to Amesbury students, and his commitment to the Amesbury community, making George Dodier a really big man in the eyes of many.

George was born and raised in Amesbury. He attended Sacred Heart School for grades one to seven, a year at AMS, then onto AHS graduating in 1975. Being a small young athlete, George participated in football his freshman year only, but his physical size (5’4”, 135 lbs) didn’t matter in ice hockey and baseball. These were his four-year sports at AHS.

George played primarily in right field during his four-year baseball career. His daily work ethic at practice and hustle kept him in the line-up from sophomore to senior year. He had a very good glove and a solid .250 batting average throughout those seasons. These qualities led to three varsity letters and being elected captain his senior year.

Ice hockey continues to be George’s favorite sport. Starting in Pee-Wee hockey under the coaching of Alphonse Picard and Chet Johnson, two men who had significant influence on George, he grew to love the game. He played for four years at AHS, earning three varsity letters and was voted captain his senior year. During his junior and senior years, George received great recognition and many awards. As a speedy left wing and prolific scorer, he was voted All-League in the CAL twice,was the leading scorer in the CAL twice, and Co-MVP once. Former teammate Steve Klien remarked about George’s play, “Most people never realized George’s defensive qualities. While back-checking, George would come off his left-wing, intercept a pass, fire a shot from twenty feet, and score. George changed many games for us that way. He was a clutch scorer.”

 Also, during his senior year, George was recognized as the second leading scorer in the state of Massachusetts. With respect to AHS ice hockey, George is still the third highest scorer ever. During those exciting and fun-filled years at AHS, George was greatly influenced by his coach, Leo Dupere,  who helped George decide the course his life would take.

After his college career, George returned to AHS as an assistant hockey coach, during the 1983-84 season. Working with his former coach and mentor, Leo Dupere, George quickly realized teaching and coaching was to be his path. He began his teaching career as a special needs tutor and later became a permanent staff member in the social studies department at AHS. His degree allowed him to fill a vacancy in the guidance department, where he remained until his retirement in 2020. 

Although his coaching career was varied, his varsity head coaching contributions were ice hockey and golf. He served a total of sixteen years as hockey coach and eleven years as golf coach. Rick Poulin, one of George’s hockey assistants, said, “George was extremely efficient with time management, always had the players ready to go, and maintained his composure always.” Rick went on to say, “George was a student of the game, his anticipation of game situations was remarkable.” George’s hockey teams earned a Cape Ann hockey title in the ’91-’92 season, and that same year he was named Coach of the Year. The golf teams earned titles in both 2014 and 2015 and he was named Coach of the Year for golf in 2014.

George’s commitment to the student-athletes of Amesbury is perhaps most evident when he filled coaching vacancies regardless of the level. At one time or another, George coached freshman and JV baseball, freshman and JV girls basketball, and JV softball. One of George’s former players and guidance students, Max Boland, summarized George this way, “ …he is most well known for his kindness, generosity, and concern for others. Whether he was giving an impassioned pep talk to his team, talking to students about their future careers, or just passing by in downtown Amesbury, he always took extra time to show that he truly cared….he is not just a hall of fame athlete, but a hall of fame man.”