By: KJ Cardinal
Lisbon’s Les Poore was inducted into the NHIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Sunday afternoon at the Grappone Center in Concord.
For more than 30 years, Poore has been one of the most respected figures in New Hampshire high school athletics with a combined six state championships – four in basketball and two in soccer. As an educator, coach, mentor, and longtime leader at Lisbon Regional School, his impact stretches far beyond championships.
A 1983 Lisbon graduate and proud Plymouth State alum, Poore returned to his hometown in 1987 and never looked back. Over a remarkable 35-year soccer coaching career and 27 years on the basketball sidelines, he shaped Lisbon athletics with a blend of work ethic, discipline, humility, and unwavering belief in his players. His teams became known statewide for their toughness, preparation, and sportsmanship.
Poore’s coaching résumé speaks for itself. In basketball, he guided Lisbon to four Division IV State Championships (2005, 2006, 2007, 2011) and seven Final Four appearances, collecting 312 career wins. On the soccer side, he led the Panthers to two Division IV state titles (2006, 2008), six Final Fours, and 332 victories. Even in rebuilding years, Poore’s teams remained competitive — a reflection of his ability to inspire belief and accountability in every athlete he coached.
But Poore’s influence extended far beyond X’s and O’s. As Lisbon’s Athletic Director from 2003–2023, he helped elevate the school’s programs to meet the highest standards of the NHIAA. His statewide service included work on the NHIAA Eligibility Committee, along with multiple honors:
• NHIAA Coach of the Year in both soccer and basketball (four times each)
• NH Soccer Hall of Fame inductee (2017)
• Walter A. Smith Award (2021) for outstanding service to interscholastic athletics
Throughout his career, Poore lived by a simple but profound philosophy: treat everyone with respect, win or lose with dignity, and always be there for your players. That approach earned him not only wins and titles, but lifelong friendships and the gratitude of athletes who saw him as a coach, mentor, and role model.
Les Poore’s legacy in Lisbon and across New Hampshire is one of commitment, consistency, and character — the true measure of a coach who made a difference.