In Memoriam
William R. Bascus
When William R. Bascus came to Bush to teach P.E., the boys basketball team had seen inconsistent leadership. Will was devoted to the sport, so he also began coaching the team and set out to improve the program.
The 1983-1984 basketball season was his first here, and throughout it the enthusiasm among Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Grade players grew.
From 1984 through his final year coaching at Bush in 1987, Will would lead the boys basketball program to achieve many firsts and increasing successes, including—among many other notable achievements—qualifying and later earning a bid in the Tri-District Class B tournament, and placing at State.
From 1984 through his final year coaching at Bush in 1987, Will would lead the boys basketball program to achieve many firsts and increasing successes, including—among many other notable achievements—qualifying and later earning a bid in the Tri-District Class B tournament, and placing at State.
Will’s run as the Blazers coach ended in 1987, and although he left Bush, his legacy endured, as Blazer teams were regular State qualifiers through much of the 1990s and into the early 2000s. His enthusiasm for basketball, the program, the school, and the players infected the whole community. Faculty and students traveled to Coupeville and other venues for District games, and showed up en masse for the State games in Spokane. The boost to the school’s visibility and spirit, though incalculable, were most evident.
Will was an excellent colleague, coach, and friend. As he would say, “The job of the point guard is to make everyone around him better”. This Will Bascus did.
The above memorial was condensed and summarized from a piece submitted by former P.E. Teacher and Coach Theo Coxe.
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 710 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
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