2017 WIAA Hall of Fame Class

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) announced the 2017 Hall of Fame Class, Friday. The eight-member class will be honored at an induction ceremony with the 2018 class in the spring of 2018.

“These inductees are a great mix of individuals who have impacted the WIAA and high school athletics around the state in unique ways,” said WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese. “The recognition is much deserved for each member of this class.”

Headlining the class is the winningest football coach in Washington history, Sid Otton. Otton coached at Colfax High School and Coupeville High School before spending 43 years at the helm of the Tumwater High School football program. He amassed a total record of 394-131 during his 49-year career, making 27 state playoff appearances and winning six WIAA State Championships in total with five coming at Tumwater. Otton was inducted into the Washington State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996 and the received the American Football Coaches Association’s National Power of Influence Award in 2006.

Joining Otton as coach inductees in the Hall of Fame class are Al Hairston and Don Freeman. Hairston put together a career coaching record of 389-132 and won five State Basketball Championships while spending time at Garfield, Kent-Meridian and O’Dea. Freeman won two State Baseball Championships while coaching at Prairie and Heritage High School, while being named the Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1994. He was also named the United State Olympic Committee Coach of the Year in 2003.

Cheryl (Byers) Schauble and Duke Washington will be honored as athlete inductees. Schauble was a five-time individual State Champion at Pullman High School in track and field before going on to coach the Kamiakin High School Girls Track Team, leading the Braves to six State Championships. Washington made the All-State Football team in 1951 as a member of the Pasco Bulldogs, making him the first African American athlete to be selected to an All-State Team. He is also a member of the Washington State University Hall of Fame in 2008.

Joining the group is Ron Jones (Fine Arts) and Dele Gunnerson (Administrator/Contributor). Jones has led the Port Angeles High School Orchestra since 1975 and is already a member of the Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame after being named the Washington Music Educator of the Year in 2002. During his time there, Jones has finished with nine top-three trophies while PAHS was one of nine international orchestras to be invited to the Midwest Clinic in 2002. Gunnerson was the Principal at Peninsula High School from 1974-92, coaching the football team from 1965-68 before becoming a WIAA Assistant Executive Director from 1997-2000. He still contributes to Washington high school athletics, now serving as a WIAA Eligibility Chair.

Craig Smith will be inducted as a contributor, serving for 32 years at the Seattle Times and producing his column “Sideline Smitty” about high school sports. Smith, who covered everything from hydroplanes to the Seahawks during his 32-year career at the Seattle Times, retired in 2008.

Details on the induction ceremony will be posted on the WIAA website when they are finalized