Panthers pay tribute to Armstrong
Published 11:40 pm Thursday, September 6, 2007
Who is Dick Armstrong?
Many Snohomish High School students might ask themselves that question tonight at halftime of the Marysville-Pilchuck vs. Snohomish football game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
It’s likely that some of the teenagers have heard of the legendary former Snohomish High football coach but don’t know exactly what he accomplished. They can find out tonight when Snohomish unveils a life-size bronze commemorative statue of Armstrong, who had 272 career coaching victories in 38 seasons, including 32 years at Snohomish.
Honoring Armstrong, who in 1999 died at age 69, is important to many people in the area and beyond, Snohomish High athletic director Mark Albertine said. But Albertine, who coached with Armstrong for 18 seasons, said young people don’t grasp the significance yet.
“It doesn’t register with the students because (Armstrong) wasn’t a part of this group, of this generation. It’s more (significant to) those people within the community who knew him,” Albertine said.
Albertine expects a massive crowd for tonight’s Western Conference North Division game. It could attract more than 3,000 people, he said.
Fans will see the Armstrong statue, which depicts the 6-foot-3 coach with a player, presented on the track in front of the bleachers at halftime. The statue’s permanent home will be in a grass area on the east end of the stadium. Created by Seattle artist Louise McDowell, the statue cost $23,000.
Denny Schuler, a 1964 Snohomish graduate who played on Armstrong’s first Panthers team, helped ignite the effort to honor Armstrong. Said Schuler, “It’s a tribute to him and the many, many players he coached over the years.”
Schuler said fundraising efforts for the statue generated $35,000, enough to pay for the sculpture and start an annual scholarship fund at Snohomish. The scholarships are part of a permanent program that will be supported by ongoing fundraising, Schuler said.
