Mr. Woodward, or as we most remember him, 'Coach' was a wonderful man. He was so very, very influencial in my life. I was one of his many high school gymnasts. I met Coach Ev in 1957, walking into his P.E. class and learning gymnastics from him. From there, I became a member of his 1st gymnastics team, along with Terry Hildebrand, Ken Kennerud, Ken Lombardo, Frank Gatto, Bill Barber, Chris Coffey, oh! so many. We all are still good friends, and we occasionally hold our own social reunions. Whenever we get together, we spend the majority of our time talking over great memories of Coach Ev.
Mr. Woodward introduced me to gymnastics. I was a tall skinny nerdly kid. I had no talent for gymnastics. He only promised me, if I wanted to turn out for the team, that I would get some neat muscles and become very strong. For this skinny kid, that was all I needed. He was such an inspiration to me, to all of us. He was one of those rare teachers, coaches, that would lead us toward high competitive achievement. But, I never felt that was his goal. He knew something, that most of did not know, that this sport would change our lives in the most positive way forever. When we won two state team championships in a row, 1957 & 58, we were all on our way. Highline High School was well on its way. Highline continued to win successive state championships for nearly 12 years. He was the man who began it all. He introduced 'GymKamp' to the PNW. After the class of 1958, bought Camp Waskowitz, he came up with the idea of having a gymnastics camp at this wonderful site. It was one of the first in the country.
I loved going over to his home, regular visits, along with other team mates, during my school years and many years after. He always welcomed 'us' and we would all sit down to listen to his stories. He taught us so many things about life, persistence, patience, being good citizens, etc.... I followed "Coach' to Seattle University in 1961, and became apart of his first college gymnastics program. I visited him regularly at his outdoor education, canoeing enterprise, and last home up at the base of Mr. Rainier. His beloved wife Polly, sold her homemade donuts off the side of the road, which we all savored for years.
I can go on for pages & pages regarding my memories of Coach Everett Woodward & his family. I will miss this man so very much, but my wonderful lasting memories will go on forever. Without Mr. Woodward in my life, I simply would not be the man I am today.
Dale Shirley
Mr. Woodward, or as we most remember him, 'Coach' was a wonderful man. He was so very, very influencial in my life. I was one of his many high school gymnasts. I met Coach Ev in 1957, walking into his P.E. class and learning gymnastics from him. From there, I became a member of his 1st gymnastics team, along with Terry Hildebrand, Ken Kennerud, Ken Lombardo, Frank Gatto, Bill Barber, Chris Coffey, oh! so many. We all are still good friends, and we occasionally hold our own social reunions. Whenever we get together, we spend the majority of our time talking over great memories of Coach Ev.
Mr. Woodward introduced me to gymnastics. I was a tall skinny nerdly kid. I had no talent for gymnastics. He only promised me, if I wanted to turn out for the team, that I would get some neat muscles and become very strong. For this skinny kid, that was all I needed. He was such an inspiration to me, to all of us. He was one of those rare teachers, coaches, that would lead us toward high competitive achievement. But, I never felt that was his goal. He knew something, that most of did not know, that this sport would change our lives in the most positive way forever. When we won two state team championships in a row, 1957 & 58, we were all on our way. Highline High School was well on its way. Highline continued to win successive state championships for nearly 12 years. He was the man who began it all. He introduced 'GymKamp' to the PNW. After the class of 1958, bought Camp Waskowitz, he came up with the idea of having a gymnastics camp at this wonderful site. It was one of the first in the country.
I loved going over to his home, regular visits, along with other team mates, during my school years and many years after. He always welcomed 'us' and we would all sit down to listen to his stories. He taught us so many things about life, persistence, patience, being good citizens, etc.... I followed "Coach' to Seattle University in 1961, and became apart of his first college gymnastics program. I visited him regularly at his outdoor education, canoeing enterprise, and last home up at the base of Mr. Rainier. His beloved wife Polly, sold her homemade donuts off the side of the road, which we all savored for years.
I can go on for pages & pages regarding my memories of Coach Everett Woodward & his family. I will miss this man so very much, but my wonderful lasting memories will go on forever. Without Mr. Woodward in my life, I simply would not be the man I am today.
Dale Shirley, Class of 1958