SALEM, ORE. -- Each day between Oct. 10 and the Willamette University Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19, the Hall of Fame Focus will highlight one of the individuals or teams being inducted. Former Willamette athlete and current volunteer assistant track and field coach Gery Ellibee, who is being inducted for meritorious service, is featured today.

In addition to Ellibee, six former Bearcat student-athletes, two teams and one head coach will be inducted into the WU Athletic Hall of Fame this fall.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Salem Convention Center. A social hour will start at 6 p.m. (PDT), with the banquet and induction ceremony starting at 7 p.m.

Gery Ellibee
Meritorious Service

Gery Ellibee transferred to Willamette in 1971 and was a dual sport athlete for two years. In football, he earned All-Northwest Conference honors twice and helped Willamette tie for the NWC title in 1971. He rushed for a total of 902 yards and six touchdowns for the Bearcats. He was chosen most inspirational by his teammates.

Ellibee was Willamette’s team captain in track and field as a senior. During his career, he set the school record in the outdoor long jump (23’ 9.75”) and tied the 440-yard dash record (49.6). In indoor track, he set a Willamette long jump record at 22’ 2” and was a member of the record-setting mile relay at 3:28.8.

Following his decorated athletic career, Ellibee has generously served Willamette as a volunteer assistant coach working with jumpers and sprinters for more than four decades. A respected motivator and mentor, Ellibee is also a passionate fan of Willamette Athletics who regularly travels across the country to support Bearcat teams.