Schools-out Sports Briefs
A local athletic director steps down, a big awards ceremony this weekend, and a personal note
An extremely short list of sports items from Salem-Keizer following students sprinting out the school doors for the year. Here are the particulars:
Sprague changes the guard at the head of athletics
After four years on the job, Sprague High’s Athletic Director, Clinton Gertenrich, has decided it is a time for a change—and stepped down from the post this past week.
Gertenrich came to the Olympians’ AD spot after serving as principal at nearby Schirle Elementary School, one of three grade schools he served at as principal. He began as an instructional assistant at McKay High, and then began teaching at Houck Middle School. A former high school and college athlete—Gertenrich was an-All American javelin competitor at Azusa Pacific University,
Gertenrich had a highly successful coaching career with stints at five of the six high schools in Salem-Keizer, as well as time at Willamette and at Corban Universities. He moved into the administrative side of the district in 2000 as an assistant principal at North Salem High.
His son Drew just completed his first year at Arizona Christian University—where he competed in both football as quarterback and javelin thrower.
Gertenrich, who would rather just exit the job quietly, agreed to chat about being Sprague’s AD.
“I loved this job,” said Clinton.
“I put my heart and soul into it and I wanted my coaches to know that they had somebody in it with them.”
But the rigor of the sports schedules makes it hard to do the job long term. And Gertenrich says he “loves his family more than the job.”
Working through the pandemic was a challenge for all athletic directors, including Clinton. But he says the loss of athletics during that time was tempered by the return of athlete participation numbers that are stronger than ever. He cited a long list of improvements at Sprague, including the doubling of the track team participation numbers to 190 teens; a growth of the girls golf team from just two players two years ago, to two full squads and a conference championship this spring; the fielding of three full squads of girls basketball teams, and the revival of girls softball, with two full teams on the field this past spring after having just 13 players previously. Sprague also had several of their athletic programs listed in the top ten statewide for academics.
Gertenrich also had high praise for the Sprague Sports Boosters calling them a “definite plus” in helping sports at the school.
Succeeding Gertenrich as AD will be current assistant principal Jim Miller, who came to Sprague in 2021. Miller has been a teacher, behavior specialist, assistant principal and high school principal since coming to Salem-Keizer of 2001. Before coming to Sprague, Miller had been an assistant Principal at the District’s on-line EDGE program
Gertenrich will assume Miller’s current assistant principal duties at Sprague. He is confident in Miller’s abilities to be AD, saying he “will do a fabulous job.”
Big Salem-Keizer Sports Award Ceremony this weekend
The Salem-Keizer Beacon awards take place this coming Saturday night at Salem’s historic Elsinore Theatre. The event, which formally begins at 7:00 pm—honors both current athletes and coaches, and also a group of historic contributors to prep sports in the Salem-Keizer Community.
Athletes of the year nominees have been named in all OSAA sanctioned sports. There will also be some awards from the Salem Sports and Breakfast Club, which has banded together with the Beacons to bolster support for local prep sports.
The actual Beacon awards will be awarded to “legendary” individuals upon whose shoulders the current athletes stand. Their involvement in local sports have assured that high school sports continue to matter. Beacons organizers say it is also a chance to reconnect and say "thank you.”
Here is a list of the 2023 Beacons:
School Beacons:
McKay: Gus Envela-3x OSAA All-State Sprinter (champion in 100, 200, 400 meters) and relay.
McNary: Jerry Lane- Longtime Celtics wrestling coach with a Salem-Keizer’s only state team wrestling title.
North Salem: Steve Chambers-state champion hurdler and outstanding coach for the Vikings.
South Salem: Scott McCormick-longtime Saxon softball coach, state’s winningest softball coach, and winner of two state titles (McNary, South Salem)
Sprague: Robin Hill-Sprague football coach for 25 years with a 2004 state championship.
West Salem: Susi Armstrong-West Salem’s original volleyball coach, builder of the Titan program.
Community Beacons:
John Black-North Salem HS graduate, 50-year official in three sports-football, basketball, baseball.
Wes Ediger-Oregon State and pro football player, Salem-Keizer principal, OSAA Executive Director.
Terry Williams-Longtime developer of youth sports programs, successful girls basketball coach at West Salem High and Corban University.
Tickets are still available for purchase for the Beacons ceremony, with the doors opening at 6:00 pm.
To buy tickets, go online at skbeacons.com. You can also read extended biographies about the Beacon honorees at that online location.
(Full disclosure: The author is a member of the board for the Beacons)
A Short Bit on Personal Recognition
Last year, I received one of the above-mentioned Beacon awards, for more than three decades of work in local radio and cable television prep sports coverage—including 30 years with my late father, Jerry. It was quite the honor and I did take a moment to write about it last June.
This year, I should have purchased a lottery ticket. I have been very fortunate to receive awards this spring from not one, but two organizations.
Over Memorial Day weekend, the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association presented me with their statewide Media Award for 2023, at a dinner at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. It was quite the event honoring coaches and prep athletes. The dinner was great, and my bride and I got to chat with the head girls basketball coach from Springfield High and his family. Aside from the long walk back to the car, we enjoyed it.
The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club has also informed me that I have won their Jack Bull award, an honor extended to an individual who has provided community service in the athletic arena, as was explained to me, for my “dedication to expanding access to high school sports information.” That would be this writing endeavor. Past recipients have included a number of local luminaries, including longtime Judson Middle School instructor Bob Flood, former McNary and McKay Athletic Director Ron Richards, former West Salem AD Bryan Sutherland, and long-time CCTV announcer and producer John Piper. A bit intimidating, right?
I will receive the SSBC award at the Beacon awards, along side the club’s own sports athletes of the year.
Thanks to both organizations—both statewide and locally—for their recognition.
I feel very fortunate—and thank my bride who has endured the journey these many years.
Mark, you are very well deserving of both awards. Your dad is looking down and grinning from cheek to cheek.
Congrats on the well-deserved honors!