Gilbertson among nine new members going into WIAA Hall of Fame

Keith Gilbertson Sr. has been selected for induction into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame.

It’s a posthumous honor for the Snohomish High coaching icon, who died in 2011 after spending 61 years as a coach, teacher, mentor and role model at his alma mater, including the last 30 as an unpaid volunteer assistant coach in football and basketball after his retirement as an English teacher.

“Many agree that Gilby’s influence went far beyond the halls and practice fields. He was continuously searching for knowledge, was always willing to help any athlete regardless of what school they attended, and he was endlessly devoted to sports.” – WIAA Gilbertson profile

Induction will take place May 8 at a noon luncheon at the Renton Pavilion Events Center. For ticket information, click here.

Among other career honors, Gilbertson was previously inducted into the state football and cross country coaches’ halls of fame as well as the Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame, the SHS Hall of Fame and the John R. Wooden Coaches’ Wall of Honor.

Mark Albertine, Snohomish School District athletic director and a longtime Gilbertson associate, spearheaded the latest nomination, noting that “his knowledge and expertise in weight training and speed and strength development was ahead of his time and a tremendous skill he possessed. . . . Many agree that Gilby’s influence went far beyond the halls and practice fields. He was continuously searching for knowledge, was always willing to help any athlete regardless of what school they attended, and he was endlessly devoted to sports”

Others in the 2013 WIAA Hall of Fame induction class include former NFL and University of Washington linebacker Dave Browning out of Liberty High; band master Ted Christensen, longtime music coordinator for the Northshore School District; former WIAA executive director Henry DeYoung from Yakima; Carol Finney, a former coach and longtime volleyball official from Yakima; former Lakeside and Franklin basketball star Takiyah Jackson, who went on to play at UCLA; longtime Peninsula baseball coach Maro Malich, contributor Mel Moore of Yakima, and Lakeside basketball coach Sandy Schneider. For expanded profiles on Gilbertson and the other inductees, click here.

Gilbertson joins two other Snohomish notables in the WIAA Hall of Fame:  former SHS principal and WIAA exectutive director Cliff Gillies and former NFL and UW football player Curt Marsh, whom Gilby coached in high school.

The Snohomish Education Foundation administers a memorial scholarship in Coach Gilbertson’s honor at Snohomish High School. To help endow the scholarship and preserve the coach’s legacy, click here.

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