Former Timberlake and Chewelah football coach Roy Albertson was laid up on a hospital bed on two occasions during his long and successful career, the second ailment more serious than the first.<\/p>\n
Albertson was at Chewelah in the late 1990s when he suffered a staph infection in his knee that required a month of hospitalization.<\/p>\n
Three years ago, he had a brush with death.<\/p>\n
Albertson suffered a heart attack on Timberlakes practice field and had triple bypass surgery, forcing him to miss the 2017 season.<\/p>\n
He returned to the Spirit Lake team in 2018 and 2019 but recently decided to step down at age 72.<\/p>\n
The coronavirus pandemic was the driving force in his decision.<\/p>\n
I retired because of the virus, said Albertson, referencing preexisting health conditions that could potentially be fatal if he was infected.<\/p>\n
He had a 57-20-1 record at Chewelah before making the move to Timberlake in 2003, leading the Tigers to a 108-64 record in 17 seasons, including 16 playoff appearances and six trips to the state semifinals.<\/p>\n
Albertsons age and health put him in a dangerous demographic while navigating a virus thats infected nearly 3.8 million Americans and contributed to the deaths of over 140,000, the overwhelming majority aged 60 and older.<\/p>\n
Being around dozens of young athletes and assistant coaches has been a 47-year labor of love, but its not worth the risk, Albertson said.<\/p>\n
The virus is worse now that I ever thought it would be in our area, Albertson said of the recent spike of COVID-19 infections in Kootenai County. I still have the same enthusiasm for young people as I did, but now I just stay at home. I leave for walks and to go to the store with my wife.<\/p>\n
I wanted to coach for as long as I could.<\/p>\n
Older high school coaches in Eastern Washington and North Idaho have been wary of the disease despite a clean bill of health.<\/p>\n
Longtime Mead boys basketball coach Glenn Williams, 61, is in good physical shape, but a few family members including his wife who battles asthma have pre-existing conditions.<\/p>\n
Williams is more worried about the potential spread of the infection to a vulnerable population than dealing with the virus himself.<\/p>\n
This thing is something weve never seen. Were still learning about the disease, it attacks in different ways to different people, Williams said.<\/p>\n
My feeling is that we dont need to be afraid of it, but be prudent how we go about it and open activities. Its a wait-and-see as we accumulate information.<\/p>\n
Williams said he would have no problem wearing a mask on the bench if it meant getting back to basketball, but he understands the shutdown.<\/p>\n
I miss the kids, but losing sports pales in comparison to the lives were losing, Williams said.<\/p>\n
Washington Hall of Fame and University High wrestling coach Don Owen, now an assistant after retiring from his head coaching duties last year, is 62 years old.<\/p>\n
In a contact sport like wrestling, Owen has seen diseases spread on the mat, some of which young athletes have developed an immunity, he said.<\/p>\n
Owen knows that coronavirus is a much different animal but preaches a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages to help fight the virus.<\/p>\n
We have to be very conscious of how we expose ourselves and if we have a good immune system, Owen said. I feel like I have a good immune system, and in wrestling you have to because youre exposed to a lot. The worry is those with a weaker immune system.<\/p>\n
What I wish is that people put a lot more focus on keeping our bodies healthy and exercising right now. Good hygiene and good eating habits.<\/p>\n
North Central girls track coach Kelly Harmon, 60, says he has lived a more careful life since the beginning of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Harmon wears masks in public, uses more hand sanitizer these days and avoids sizable public gatherings.<\/p>\n
I think if I get exposed to it, Id get sick, but it wouldnt wipe me out, Harmon said. I think anybody who is in that 60-plus age group has to be a little worried. Personally, I dont know anybody who has been diagnosed with it.<\/p>\n
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View original post here: Former Timberlake and Chewelah football coach Roy Albertson was laid up on a hospital bed on two occasions during his long and successful career, the second ailment more serious than the first. Albertson was at Chewelah in the late 1990s when he suffered a staph infection in his knee that required a month of hospitalization. Three years ago, he had a brush with death. Continue reading
\nOlder high school coaches learning to navigate the coronavirus pandemic - Sports and Weather Right Now<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"