Hall of Fame
Doug Fisher thought he would have to make a choice after graduating from Lewiston High School – football or track and field; specifically, the discus.
Enter University of Idaho coaches Mike Keller (track and field) and Ed Troxel (football). Their collaboration led to Fisher excelling in both sports as one of few dual sport collegiate athletes. Being a two-sport athlete isn’t easy. After a grueling spring football practice session, he would head out to drill with Keller on his discus throws.
The work paid off. He was a two-time Big Sky Conference discus champion and NCAA qualifier. He still is 10th on Idaho’s all-time best list for discus throwers – a list that includes a legion of league champions and NCAA qualifiers. On the football field, he was a key contributor to Troxel’s defenses.
To those achievements, we tip our hats. But they’re only a part of Doug. His induction into the Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame is based not only on his athletic achievement but on the profound impact he had on others after graduating from the University of Idaho. He was much, much more to so many more.
Fisher, who passed away last spring after a valiant battle with cancer, would become a decades-long favorite of the elementary school children who passed through his physical education classes. He would be the ‘best friend’ of almost everyone he met. A loyal and trusted Vandal, teacher, coach, friend and partner to his wife, Joy.
As a teacher, friend and coach, he was noted for his fun-loving good nature and selflessness. When it looked as if his high school record was going to be broken at the state meet, he, Joy and a friend drove to Boise to be there to watch in case it was. After the young man made the record-breaking throw, Doug was among the first to congratulate him.
Competing in both sports for the Vandals marked the culmination of a dream for Fisher, whose Idaho high school discus record held strong for 19 years. It still stands at Lewiston High School – more than 40 years after the throw. He was the first in his family to attend college and he made the most of it. After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1977, he added a master’s degree in 1994.
He almost could be considered an ‘accidental’ elementary school physical education teacher. After graduating from Idaho, his first job was high school study hall. His second was elementary physical education – a turn of events that defined him as a teacher. While he doubled as a high school coach – his teams won basketball and football championships, his true legacy might be in his ability to reach the youngest and most reticent of his students.
Doug wanted learning and physical activity to be fun. Instead of jumping jacks and pushups, he designed an Indiana Jones’ themed obstacle course for his students – a tradition that, with his instructions, lives on at Lena Whitmore. That was just one of the many innovations he brought to his classrooms.
A common theme in remembrances of Doug is his impact on others:
• “He never talked about himself. He was always interested in you and your athletes.” – coach Arlen Olson
• “Of all the players I coached against, which was 20-some years, he was one of the top ones.” – coach Dean Lundblad
• “He was just a great individual. You never heard a bad word about him from anyone at any time.” – Ron Karlberg
• “He was a very positive role model for me as far as doing the right thing all the time.” – Doug Riesenberg (former player)
• “I enjoyed playing for you, for your approach, but also because I really enjoyed your humor and sly smile.” – Matt Dacey (student)
• “When I think of Mr. Fisher I think of a good man that I can trust and lean on. I remember the first time I met him and I thought to myself “we are going to have a good time.” – Jack Harris O’Neal (fifth-grade student)
• “Mr. Fisher was very good at knowing how to be kind, helpful and most of all, a great friend.” – Amais Lamadrid (fourth-grade student)
His friendship, passion for life and fun-loving nature, live on with the multitude who had the good fortune to have him as a part of their lives.
We are proud to induct Doug Fisher into this elite group – the Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame.
(Some quotes from this story are excerpts from the Lewiston Tribune)
