The Tigard High School community is mourning the loss of Shawn Alderman, the school’s revered boys basketball head coach and health and physical education teacher, who died at the age of 52 after a longstanding tenure, the Tigard-Tualatin School District confirmed. Having spent nearly three decades in the district, Alderman established himself as a significant figure, both in his educational role and as coach, where he led the Tigard Tigers to a state championship victory in 2002, reports KOIN.com.
The Tigers’ historic win over Jesuit during the 2002 state championship, secured through a 69-59 overtime win, remains a highlight of Alderman's coaching legacy, before this week's sorrowful news compounds with a sting on the basketball court, the Timberwolves pulled away with a decisive 24-8 score in the fourth quarter against Tigard in a game that also served as a tribute to Alderman, a poignant moment captured by OregonLive. The district, expressing their condolences, stated, "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the Alderman family and friends,” as reported by KGW.com.
As the community reckons with Alderman’s death, for which the cause has not been released, there are emotional acknowledgments of the pain his absence will cause throughout the student and staff body. The school district has announced the assembling of a team of counselors and mental health specialists to support those affected at Tigard High School and districtwide, understanding the profound impact such a loss represents, and stating, "This is heartbreaking news for our community," in a statement shared by KOIN.com.
