Photos: Sequoia High Gets ‘Inspiration’ from Coach’s Legacy

Former coach and teacher Bob Andersen may no longer be with the students on the field today, but his legacy leaves a lasting impact on all Cherokees who walk or have walked through Sequoia High School’s halls. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Tuesday afternoon to showcase a collection of beautiful trees amidst dedications to those like Andersen who were irreplaceable inspirations for high school students.

“He saw the possibilities in everyone, especially in the most fragile students going through that awkward teen phase,” said his daughter Sheryl Andersen. “If you spread out the footprints he left on this campus, there wouldn’t be an inch of this place untouched.”

Andersen, who passed away in March 2011, was a student at Sequoia before he devoted his life to coaching from 1950 to 1980. He coached numerous sports, including baseball, golf, tennis, swimming and golf, with many of his students becoming athlete legends. Gary Beban, the 1967 Heisman Trophy winner and National Football College Hall of Famer for his role as UCLA quarterback, spoke at the ceremony.

“What happened on the field with Bob could teach you more than any time in the classroom,” Beban said. “When you could forget all the material you learned after answering that last test question, the lessons you learned outside the classroom lasted you a lifetime.”

Rich Schlenker, another of Andersen’s students, described Andersen as “magnetic and upbeat.”

“He had this way of silently motivating you and made sure you gave your best effort,” he said.

Mayor Alicia Aguirre spoke of the need for more mentors like Andersen and encouraged the audience to realize how even the smallest actions can be forms of mentorship.

Donors have purchased bricks, trees and engraved benches for placement in the grove, honoring their inspirational figures, for their encouragement and guidance. Bricks, trees and engraved benches can still be purchased by contacting Dee Eva of the Sequoia High School Alumni Association at (650) 368-4800, with funds now going to support Sequoia High School.

Sequoia Union High School District trustee Olivia Martinez, a Sequoia '61 alum herself, thanked the Association for all the work that they had done for the Inspirational Grove, in addition to other projects such as building a veterans memorial on campus, buying sports uniforms, sending students to athletic camps, and installing a new scoreboard for the baseball field.

"Though they might have graduated, they never left mentally and spiritually," Martinez said of the volunteers. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all you do."

Now students and alumni have a designated place to thank such volunteers and others who have played an irreplaceable role in their high school careers.

“It certainly looks a lot better than it used to!” said Principal Bonnie Hansen of the formerly undeveloped plot of land. “And now these 2,000 students can enjoy this inspirational place.”

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