Mt. Abram High School soccer field to be dedicated to beloved coach

SALEM TOWNSHIP – On Sept. 22, students, athletes and friends will convene at the Mt. Abram High School for the dedication of the soccer field to a retired coach and teacher of 30 years.

Art Potter retired from MAHS in 1999, having spent more than 25 years as the school’s soccer and track coach. In addition to serving as a coach and teacher, Potter also participated in the installation of several programs at the high school, including a weight room and the school’s tennis program. Potter was also the coach of the school’s football program.

“He was a teacher that used his ears more than his mouth,” Said Rod Spiller, a former student of Potter “I can’t think of anyone else more deserving.” Spiller graduated in the MAHS class of 1989 and was one of the major supporters of the dedication event.

In order to get the dedication approved, Spiller wrote several letters to the school board, asking for time to promote the idea. “It took a while,” he said. “I attended three different board meetings with petitions and signatures before it was decided.”

Support for Potter’s Park came in the form of more than 360 signatures from students, current and graduated.

“I was in the class of ’89,” Spiller said, “and there were guys signing who graduated before I did.”

Despite the honor, Spiller said that Potter is a “very humble man.”

“He’s receiving this honor because he’s earned it,” Spiller said. “Both his students and his athletes signatures are on the petition.”

The official dedication of Potter’s Park will be on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Mt. Abram High School. The event will take place between the soccer games held that evening, sometime between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.