Dick came to Medford where he first enrolled in the Medford School system at Jackson El­ementary School in 1946. From there on out, you could say Dick became a true “Medfordite.” From grade school, under coach Bob Baccus, on up he not only excelled in football, but was equally talented in basketball, track, baseball and golf. In grade school he found time for football, bas­ketball, track and baseball but his junior high years saw him dropping baseball. His favored sports of football, basketball and golf, lettering 3 years in football and golf and 2 years in basket­ ball received his full attention in high school.

As a football star, his efforts earned him first team All-Conference honors in 1955 and 1956, and first team All-State honors as end in 1956. In his senior year of 1957, Dick was selected to play in the annual shrine game. As a basketball standout, he was first team All-conference in both his junior and senior years.

Upon graduation from high school, the Wash­ington State Cougars were fortunate enough to have Dick Coppel on campus as a full 4-year scholarship athlete. As a frosh, Dick hit the hardwood and lettered one year in basketball. After his first year he focused his energies on football where he became a three-year letterman standout. As a starting end, GOING BOTH WAYS, he was their field goal and extra point kicker. On the Cougar team with Dick were Keith Lincoln, one of San Diego Chargers all-time great running backs and Gail Cogdill, the out­standing wide receiver for the Detroit Lions.

Dick’s decision to pursue a teaching and coaching career was obviously a good and perma­nent career choice. Dick passed along all the great experiences and knowledge he gained through his playing years to his students at the Ashland School District. Dick has been a Physical Education Teacher and Coach in Ashland con­tinuously from 1962 to retirement.