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WHO IS GYM? What one local sports official wants you to know BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ PHOTO BY CARL SCHULTZ
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fter more than 30 years officiating high school sports, Arizona native Scott Hanson has been questioned (putting it mildly) by coaches, overzealous parents, and student athletes from Scottsdale to Sierra Vista. But it was actually questions Hanson had himself that led him to write his first book, Who is Gym, which shares and preserves the stories behind Arizona’s high school sports venues. “The idea for the book started three years ago during a Cactus High football game. The field was named M.L. Huber Stadium, so I asked around regarding who he was. To my surprise, no one knew,” says Hanson. “A week later, it happened again at another school—and I was motivated to action.” His first action—a conversation with state historian Marshall Trimble. “Marshall was quick to point out that there was no one place where all of this history lived,” says Hanson. “He told me I should take it upon myself to create a record and collection for our state. Those were powerful words.” Who is Gym? is available now at www.whoisgym.com.
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How did you research each story? I tracked down every athletic director, administrator, alumnus, librarian, local historian and longtime school employee that would talk to me, one by one! Any surprising stories? There is a field in Bisbee named for Arizona female softball players who helped inspire A League of their Own with Tom Hanks. What’s your day job? While I was once a sportscaster, I’ve owned a local PR agency since 1991. JULY 2015 |
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