News Summary

The Gladstone Gladiators basketball team welcomes Robert Key as its new head coach, bringing nearly two decades of coaching experience in Oregon. As the team prepares for the winter season, the community is buzzing with optimism about this new chapter. Additionally, the PIL Hall of Fame induction ceremony is approaching, celebrating athletic achievements from the region’s rich sports history.

Exciting Changes for Gladstone Basketball: Meet New Head Coach Robert Key

Gladstone is buzzing with excitement as the latest news in the local sports scene unveils the appointment of Robert Key as the new head coach of the Gladstone Gladiators basketball team. After dedicating nearly two decades to coaching high school basketball across Oregon, Key is set to bring his extensive experience to the Gladiators as they gear up for the winter season.

Key’s impressive resume includes not just his coaching prowess, but also a remarkable athletic background. He attended Marshall High School, where he was celebrated as 1st team All-PIL across three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. His accolades don’t stop there – he has also been honored as PIL coach of the year on three separate occasions. As the Gladiators embark on this new chapter under Key’s leadership, the community remains optimistic about their future on the court.

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Beckons

In a related splash of good news, Gladstone’s basketball community finds itself deeply intertwined with the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) Hall of Fame. This year’s induction ceremony promises to be a memorable affair, set to kick off at 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport located at 8439 N.E. Columbia Blvd. It’s shaping up to be a night that celebrates the rich athletic history of the PIL.

This year’s 2015 Inductee Class, hailing from nine decades, showcases 49 former athletes and coaches who have significantly contributed to the legacy of sports within the league. Among them are names like Pat Strickland, the current basketball coach from Jefferson, and the celebrated former baseball coach, Mike Clopton. Their inclusions honor the remarkable commitment to athletics in the region.

A Star-Studded Induction Line-Up

One standout among the inductees is Julia Brim-Edwards, who graduated from Washington High in 1979. She has earned the title of the first six-sport athlete ever to be inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame, having lettered an astonishing 13 times in sports such as basketball, volleyball, track, soccer, softball, and cross country. Alongside Brim-Edwards, this class includes ten women who have distinguished themselves through their athletic contributions throughout the years.

Inductees into the hall must be at least ten years out of high school, ensuring that recipients of this honor have had ample time to reflect on their accomplishments. Of this year’s 49 inductees, 40 are still living, allowing friends and family of these athletes to celebrate their achievements together. The eldest inductee, Ward Irvine from Jefferson, graduated 100 years ago, while the youngest, Elizabeth Wild, is from Grant High School and belongs to the class of 2004.

Celebrating Community and History

As the PIL Hall of Fame recognizes achievements from a remarkable 14 different schools over its 115-year history, the history of Gladstone’s involvement has not gone unnoticed. Current boys’ basketball coaches inducted into the Hall include both Patrick Strickland and Robert Key, which only adds to the momentum within the local sports community.

Among the celebratory honors, family members of accomplished sports figures, such as brothers Tom and Mike Walsh from Lincoln, will also be celebrated for their outstanding sports achievements. Additionally, a Meritorious Service Award will honor Marilyn Olson for her dedicated service in teaching and coaching from 1974 through 2015.

As the ceremony approaches, the excitement swells. Details about this year’s inductees will soon be available in the PIL Hall of Fame’s cyber museum, ensuring that their legacies continue to inspire future generations of athletes in the Gladstone area and beyond.

The upcoming basketball season and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony both stand as pivotal moments in the rich tapestry of athletic tradition that Gladstone holds dear. With Robert Key leading the Gladiators and a new class of sporting heroes being celebrated, the community is ready to rally behind their teams and honor the past.

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