Tim Taylor

I am grateful and humbled to be selected for this honor. PIL athletics have had an incredible impact on my life. Growing up in North Portland, my brothers Terry and Jim were my first teammates. We were always at the park or at the Boys Club where we played whatever sport was in season.

My coaching experience started at the kitchen table with dad and Dave Keierleber, our Little League coaches. They said that I could stay as long as I didn’t talk. That did not last long.

I was blessed with great coaches growing up. I could not ask for a better youth football coach than Ed Semperboni. These coaches prepared me well for High School at Benson and thriving under the leadership of Mike Lopez, Bill Dressel, and especially Bill Ranta who continued to mentor me throughout my coaching career.

Marshall High School was the perfect place to begin my teaching and coaching career. The teaching and administrative staff at Marshall were very hard working and caring people.  They supported the students and each other like a family We had the majority of our coaches on staff. Accessibility to each other was definitely a key to our success.

I was blessed to have great assistant coaches. I am grateful to have coached with many great coaches including Gary “Have-it-in-ya” Kinnee, former player Steve Geiszler and my good friend Jeff Hollamon. They each made me a better coach. I am grateful to Mike Clopton for always sharing his insights with me. My gratitude extends to all of the coaches whose camps and clinics I was able to participate in.      

I had the greatest time teaching and coaching. I loved the classroom as much as the field. I lived by the thought that great education serves you for the rest of your life and no one can ever take that away.  I sought to instill positive mindsets and keep things simple.

I am grateful for having the opportunity to work with so many fine young student athletes. They worked hard and pushed each other to be better. I loved the games but sometimes the practices were even better. It’s just the team working and playing together without anyone watching. I believe that some of life’s best lessons happen on the field.

I remember one time it had been raining for what seems like two weeks and we decided to have batting practice outside on the field. The conditions were not great and after about a half hour a mud fight broke out between 1st and 2nd base. The whole team was involved. I ended up with mud in eyes, ears and nose. It was all good team bonding fun.

We were fortunate to have a strong core group of caring parents.  Many were involved in fundraising and facility improvements. We sold a lot of Christmas trees, and building dugouts on campus was a testament to their hard work and support.

Finally, I could not have done any of this without the support of my loving wife, Ginger. We have been together since high school and she is my adventure partner in visiting ballparks, National parks and attending live music.  We have been to more baseball games together than any other couple I know. She really knows the game.  

Thanks also to our awesome daughters, Katlyn and Melissa. One field work day they sidewalk chalked the entire interior of the home dugout.

I am hopeful that I have been able to give back to the PIL in ways that supported me.  I thank the PIL for the vast network of friends that I have made along the way.

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