• VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/312185725/578bd98040
As good as he was at playing baseball – and as much as he loved playing it – Perry Stangvik loved coaching and teaching even more.
Born right here in Ballard, Stangvik could have played baseball or football at bigger schools. But after a summer of playing in the minors for the Brooklyn Dodgers organization, he chose Seattle Pacific and baseball.
As a freshman in 1949, shortstop Stangvik batted .268 with seven stolen bases. He was twice named the Amateur Player of the Year in the regional semipro tournament.
After serving with his artillery reserve unit during the Korean War during the early 1950s, he had an opportunity to resume his playing career, but decided to begin his teaching career instead upon completion of his BA in education from Seattle Pacific.
It was as a teacher and a coach for 41 years in the Snohomish School District just north of Seattle where Stangvik really shined, first in the junior high and then at the high school level. He was all about his students, athletes and co-workers, whether in the classroom or on the football field or baseball diamond.
Even when Stangvik passed away in 2013, teaching was still foremost in his mind: His family asked that he be remembered by reading a newspaper, a good book, and learning something new.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS (1949)
• In 29 games with the Falcons in 1949, led the team with 15 walks and 43 total bases. His seven stolen bases also was tops for Seattle Pacific.
