New England prep school coaching legend Whit Lesure passed away unexpectedly this morning. Lesure had been the head coach at Bridgton Academy (ME) since 1997. The school released the following statement:

“The entire Bridgton Academy community is devastated by the loss of Basketball Coach Whit Lesure, 66, who passed away early this morning after a medical emergency at his home on campus. Coach Lesure won four NEPSAC AAA championships during his 29-year tenure at Bridgton Academy, earning him admission into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. He was beloved by his players, as well as the students who turned to him for support in his role as advisor, dorm parent, and college counselor. He was deeply admired and respected by his colleagues on campus and fellow basketball coaches everywhere. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marybeth and the Lesure family. Coach Whit’s passing leaves an enormous hole in our hearts and in our community.”

Lesure is a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame and a career coach with stops at New Hampton School and University of New Hampshire. This past September, Bridgton honored Lesure by naming the court in their renovated gym after the coaching giant.