Jim Poulin was one of the greatest influences on my life; my father and Jim are the people I respect most in the world. Coach Poulin lives his life for others; and he lives his values everyday. He is still an inspiration to me.” Those are the words of Micah Grant who, as an All-State player for Winslow High School, led the 2003 Black Raiders to the Gold Ball.
Micah’s words are echoed by hundreds of young student-athletes Jim Poulin has mentored in his forty- year teaching and coaching career at Winslow High School.
Jim started his career in 1973 at Winslow and never left; he began coaching in 1974. Over the next three decades, Jim coached football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, as well as outdoor track and field. He was the embodiment of Winslow athletics; its biggest supporter and ever present figure at every athletic event regardless of his personal involvement.
In 1995 Jim was diagnosed with M. S. but it did not stop him from continuing to coach until 2004 when he finally hung up his whistle after thirty years.
Regardless of his physical limitations, Jim never complained and never used it as an excuse. His unbridled optimism and strong Christian beliefs were daily examples to others of how to lead a purpose driven life.
Jim’s purpose is simple, he spreads joy to others while putting his deferring his needs.
It is hard to overstate the high regard in which he is held by this tight-knit community.
Moreover, Jim Poulin epitomizes a life well lived; his induction into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame richly deserved, and serves as another reminder to us, that grace and courage often are two sides of the same coin. Welcome Jim Poulin to a very select athletic circle.