BANGOR — When his name was announced at the Maine McDonald’s All-Star banquet on Friday night, Nate Jewell sprinted to the stage. He demonstrated the quickness that makes him tough to beat, whether it’s running in the 50- or 100-meter dashes, playing basketball for Winthrop High School’s unified team or serving as the varsity boys basketball team’s manager.
Jewell’s coaches and teammates always appreciated his explosive first step when he has a cup of water ready for them in the heat of a close game. They’ve come to appreciate his friendship and support even more in the last four years.
The Ramblers recognized Jewell — who was presented with the Patrick Thibodeau Spirit of the Game Award on Friday night — as one of their own long ago.
Coach Todd MacArthur instantly bonded with him when he was in eighth grade, even though Jewell, born with Down syndrome, can’t speak clearly because he was on a feeding tube until he was 7 years old.
Four years ago, MacArthur approached Jewell’s parents, Brian and Judy, about Nate becoming the team manager. The Jewells couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough. Nate always loved sports, but medical problems precluded him from playing any contact sports.
Jewell took to the job quickly, and the players took to him just as quickly.
“Absolutely, they really treat him like a little brother,” Brian Jewell said. “Even some of the players that have graduated, they’ve come back and they’ll say ‘hi’ to him and give him a hug.”
Jewell was always quick and thorough when he’d get the players water, wash their towels and clean the bench. More importantly, he wasn’t just the Ramblers’ biggest cheerleader, he was their best teammate.
“I’ve been looking through some pictures to show at our banquet,” MacArthur said, “and there are pictures of big wins and he’s celebrating as much as we are. And then there are pictures of the loss to Waynflete (in the Class C South final) and he’s crying as much as the players.”
“He really does play off the coaches’ and players’ emotions,” Brian Jewell said.
For the past two years, Jewell expressed his passion for the sport as a player on Winthrop’s unified basketball team.
Jewell’s teammates were so inspired by his love for the game that when MacArthur approached them this year about having him suit up and play on Senior Night, the Ramblers’ final home game this season, there wasn’t even a discussion.
“This was something I tossed out there and they were not only supportive, it was something they wanted to do,” MacArthur said. “They said he’s been a part of this program and our family for four years now and he deserves this Senior Night as much as everyone else.”
Jewell started the game in front of a packed gymnasium and swished his first shot on the Ramblers’ opening possession.
“That was a dream come true,” Brian Jewell said. “The crowd went wild. He was so excited he went over to the bench and high-fived the coach, and (MacArthur) told him to get back in the game and play ‘D.'”
Telstar, Winthrop’s opponent that night, called a timeout to let Jewell and his team enjoy the moment a bit longer.
“It’s a moment he’s never going to forget, but I’m pretty sure it’s a moment anyone in that gym will never forget,” MacArthur said. “The place went nuts and I’ll tell you, there was not a dry eye in the gym.”
MacArthur and Brian Jewell said the reaction and the way Nate fit in with the team is not surprising given the way Winthrop schools emphasize accepting and including students with disabilities.
“Winthrop is a wonderful school, and it’s a reflection of the kids in our school,” MacArthur said. “They treat them equally, and as friends.”
And it’s a toss-up who gets more out of the relationship — Nate or everyone who gets to know him.
“It’s been the best thing for him and for our program and everyone involved in our program,” MacArthur said.
On Friday night, Maine McDonalds recognized Nate’s contributions by presenting him with its Spirit of the Game Award. Each year, the sponsors of the Maine Senior All-Star Games hand out two awards to seniors who “embody the spirit of the sport of basketball, exemplify sportsmanship, and support and inspire their teammates and coaching staff.” There is one award for the North and one for the South, with each recipient getting a trophy and a $500 scholarship.
The award for the North is named after Thibodeau, the South for Joshua Titus. Both were the inspirations for the award in 2009. Both, like Nate, were team managers — Thibodeau at Greely High School, Titus at Edward Little High School — who had inspiring performances on Senior Night at their respective schools.
As an honoree, Nate also got to sit on the bench and cheer on Winthrop’s Anthony Owens in the Class C/D all-star game on Saturday. Owens and the South won, 113-79.
“Any time he gets recognition, it’s special because he deserves it. There’s not a better kid around,” MacArthur said.
MacArthur’s relationship with Nate has grown to the point where he can understand Jewell’s verbal communication more easily than most. The same can be said for some of the players.
“It’s a more meaningful relationship when I can understand what he’s trying to relate,” MacArthur said. “And it’s really nice to see him having conversations with the kids.”
“He’s like my little sidekick,” MacArthur said. “We’re going to miss him. I’m going to miss him.”
Randy Whitehouse — 621-5638
rwhitehouse@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @RAWmaterial33
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.