Presque Isle, ME -- The University of Maine at Presque Isle athletic department has recently announced the hire of Terry Cummings as head coach of the men's basketball and women's volleyball programs.   Also joining the UMPI staff is new head golf coach Ryan Guerrette.

As a player at UMPI, Cummings, who earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Leisure services, experienced a stellar career, where he was an All-NAIA District 5 pick and scored more than 2000 career points. He was a BDN All-Maine, third-team choice at Houlton High School in 1987. 

"He brings a great background as a collegiate player and possesses coaching experience at the high school level as well," said UMPI athletic director Bill Casavant. "He's done very well at both, and he still has name recognition, which is very important."

Prior to joining UMPI, Cummings has been the Athletic Director at Greater Houlton Christian Academy since 2003 and coached the Eagles' boys basketball team from 2002-2008. He did double duty the past two winters, coaching the girl's varsity basketball squad. The GHCA girl's team compiled an impressive 34-7 record under Cummings, reaching the Eastern Maine Class D semifinals in 2007 and the quarterfinals in 2008. Terry was also the school's volleyball coach during the past two seasons.

In his new role as a full-time employee at UMPI, Cummings will also oversee the new Gentile Hall fitness center, where he will work to set up health and wellness programs for the University's faculty and staff. Terry will also strive to promote a healthy lifestyle as an outreach to the surrounding community and set up fitness programs for Gentile Hall members.

"I'm thrilled at the opportunity to work with the student-athletes at UMaine Presque Isle," commented Cummings. "I look forward to the challenge of rebuilding these two programs, and at the same time, helping to bring our UMPI athletic teams back to their former levels of success. I'm ready to get going and am very excited for the student-athletes to finally arrive back on campus."

Cummings currently resides in Houlton with his wife Crystal and their two sons, Jordan and Malachi.

Ryan Guerrette is a 1998 graduate of Presque Isle's Northern Maine Community College where he earned a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the NMCC golf team, leading his team to back-to-back conference championships in 1997-98. In 1998, he was the conference Individual Champion and NMCC team MVP. Since graduating, Guerrette has spent six years as director of golf at the Mars Hill Country Club.

"We're excited about Ryan becoming a part of our UMPI athletic staff; he has a great track record as a coach at the high school level," commented new Athletic Director Bill Casavant. "I think he's a great fit for UMPI and we look forward to him working with our student-athletes.

Prior to accepting his new job at UMPI, Ryan has been the head golf coach at Central Aroostook High School since 2000. His Panther team won seven straight Aroostook league titles, including six individual Aroostook League titles and one individual State Championship. A graduate from Central Aroostook High School in 1996, Guerrette was a part of the CAHS State Runners-up Golf Team in 1994.

"I'm very excited to be joining the coaching staff at UMPI.  I look forward to the challenge of building a successful golf program," said Guerrette. "In my past coaching experience, I've realized that success breads success.  The more successful this golf program can become, the more student-athletes will begin to show interest in playing golf for UMPI. My goal is to build a competitive UMPI golf program, both in the NAIA Sunrise Conference and throughout the State of Maine."

Guerrette is currently employed as the Operations Manager at Big Rock Ski Area, and resides in Mars Hill with his wife Jamie and two children, Carly and Bobbi Jo.