Mother Nature does not like Scott Savoie.
On Sunday, October 23, Scott Savoie, the Varsity Football coach, and a friend were splitting firewood on Coach Savoie’s property. As they gathered wood for the winter, the friend pulled a chain attached to log. Sources say the log got snagged, flung up into the air and hit Coach Savoie on the right side of his face. His facial injuries were very serious, so he was immediately sent to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and later transferred to Sutter Hospital in Roseville for their trauma center.
The Bear River staff was quickly informed about Coach Savoie’s accident.
“Mr. Savoie’s wife called me on Sunday to tell me about his accident and that he was at the hospital,” said Principal Amy Besler. “At that time, we did not know the extent of his injuries and it was very frightening. Fortunately, the brain was not impacted; the injuries consist of broken bones in his face and skull that will heal with time. When I visited him in the hospital the day after the accident, he was as alert, funny, and spirited as always — ready to get out of the hospital and back to teaching and coaching. He was released from the hospital the next day.”
After the accident, Besler was pleased to hear he still had a positive attitude and was smiling. Unfortunately, the Bruin Nation did not know if he’d be returning to work anytime soon.
“I haven’t heard anything about Mr. Savoie’s return to work, but would imagine it will happen fairly soon,” said Principal Besler. “It will all depend on the doctor’s orders and we are glad he’s home resting and recovering now.”
With Coach Savoie at home recovering, Varsity Coach Terry Logue has taken on the responsibility of managing the team and subbing Coach Savoie’s PE classes. Principal Besler and two sophomore varsity players, Garrett Pratt, a defensive lineman, and Calder Kunde, a wide receiver and corner, all agree that this will push the Varsity players to work harder and become closer as a whole to make Coach Savoie proud.
“If anything, watching their coach go through this will unite the team even more and make them all the more determined to play their hearts out and try to win for him,” explained Principal Besler. “He hates not being there to help them prepare for their upcoming game and we get will certainly want to make him proud and show them that they have been working hard, even in his absence. Coach Logue and the entire coaching staff have been there to work with the team, which is a great benefit.”
Pratt agreed that Coach Savoie’s accident will make the team work harder.
“I feel like we will play harder because Coach Savoie would want us to and he would want to be out there supporting us,” he said.
“Savoie’s injury doesn’t affect us negatively at all,” said Kunde. “Rather it pushes us to work harder.”
