Prep Notebook: Edmonds-Woodway honors former volleyball coach Mike Pittis
Published 9:29 am Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Mike Pittis rarely seeks attention, but last week he happily stepped into the spotlight.
Pittis resigned during the 2009-2010 school year after coaching 39 years in the Edmonds School District. He coached a wide variety of sports at the junior high and high school level, including volleyball.
When he resigned after the 2009 season Pittis was the only head volleyball coach in Edmonds-Woodway High School history, a stretch of 20 years. He guided the Warriors to six state tournament appearances, including a Class 3A fourth-place finish in 1997 and three straight 4A trips in his last three years (2007-2009).
On Thursday, Pittis was honored before and after the Meadowdale versus Edmonds-Woodway volleyball match in E-W’s gym. Joined by his family, friends and dozens of former players (including some who Pittis coached 37 years ago), Pittis was honored for his contributions to the community.
In a pre-match speech, E-W athletic director Julie Stroncek announced Pittis will be the first inductee in the school’s new Hall of Fame. In addition, Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper declared Sept. 9 Mike Pittis Day, said Stroncek.
“It was overwhelming, it really was,” Pittis said Monday. “I really didn’t want them to make a fuss (but) I guess in retrospect I’m really glad they did.”
The best part, Pittis said, was seeing so many former players he had not talked to in years.
Another sign of Pittis’ incredible impact: Five coaches involved in Thursday’s match — including E-W first-year head coach Nicole Bordeaux and Meadowdale head coach Machen Shrum — once played for Pittis.
E-W capped Pittis’ unforgettable night by rallying for a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Meadowdale.
“That was really great,” said Pittis. “(E-W) really dug down.”
Technically, Pittis retired from coaching, yet this season he is an E-W volleyball volunteer assistant. Pittis said he is happy to help any way he can, whether he is organizing a tournament for freshmen, giving one-on-one instruction or coordinating after-school study sessions.
After all these years, Pittis mentors student-athletes with the same enthusiasm he had four decades ago.
Big win for Wildcats
Coming off an undefeated, state-championship season, the Archbishop Murphy girls soccer team had a lot of question marks going into 2010, new Murphy head coach Eddie Fernandez said. But Murphy, which returned just three full-time starters from its 2009 Class 2A title team, made a huge statement last week when it beat nationally ranked Issaquah 2-0.
“We were excited that they put it together so quickly,” Fernandez said of his team. “The girls were excited by the challenge.”
Some Issaquah players were out with injuries, Fernandez said, but nevertheless Murphy goalkeeper Morgan Duffy performed well in her first start and worked well with Murphy’s three defenders, who are all first-year starters.
Colgate University recruit Caroline Brawner, one of Murphy’s five seniors, scored both goals. “She’s always going to be a strong player on the field,” said Fernandez, “but she’s really embraced that leadership role this year.”
Cross country rankings
In the Powerade Fab 50 preseason cross country rankings, Glacier Peak is No. 21 in the girls list and Jackson is No. 23 among boys teams. See the complete rankings at http://tinyurl.com/35vda2e.
Brown to speak at Monroe
Nationally recognized speaker, author and former coach Bruce Brown will speak Sept. 20 at Monroe High. Parents of youth athletes are encouraged to attend the free event. Brown will discuss character, compassion, courage, determination, discipline, perspective, pride and teamwork. For more information call 360-804-4507.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam and follow Cane on Twitter @MikeCaneHerald.
