Seattle Pacific

University

Summer 2002 | Volume 25, Number 3 | Footnotes

JAMES LEIERER '52 has been known affectionately as "coach" by generations of teenagers. At SPC, this promising football star from Tulane University ended up with three majors: zoology, physical education and teacher certification. All were excellent preparation for a life's career in the classroom and on the sports field. For 49 years, he modeled the Christlike life for students as a coach and teacher at South Whidbey High School in Washington. Football, basketball, baseball, track, soccer — you name it and Jim has probably coached it. He's also taught biology, math, physical education and driver's education.

A resident of Langley, Washington, Jim has also been active in his church, teaching Sunday school, holding neighborhood Bible studies, acting as a youth leader and giving more than 25 years to the summer Bible camp program through the American Missionary Fellowship. Some say that his favorite day of the week is Wednesday, when at 6 a.m. he and several other Christian men conduct a prayer walk around the schools of South Whidbey.

Though he officially retired from the classroom in 1988, Jim has continued to substitute, teach driver's education and serve as an associate football coach. He and his wife, ILADEENE MCALLASTER LEIERER '53, have been married 50 years and prove the saying that if you're going to teach kids to be winners in their lives, you have to be a winner in your own.