FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Friday, October 16, 2015 Jay Shaw bust unveiled among MSUB Corridor of Champions legends Friday
The fifth commemorative bronze bust is added to MSUB’s Corridor of Champions Friday, as legendary gymnastics coach and health and human performance professor Jay Shaw is honored with his place alongside the university’s alltime greats. MSUB SPORTS – Among a crowded front lobby outside of Alterowitz Gymnasium on the Montana State University Billings campus on Friday was a group of Eastern Montana College alumni gathered with family and friends to honor the contributions of legendary gymnastics coach and health and human performance professor Jay Shaw with the unveiling of a bronze bust to be placed in MSUB’s Corridor of Champions. Shaw became the fifth man honored with a bronze bust along MSUB’s historic athletics corridor, joining coaches Mike Harkins, Oscar Bjorgum, Bob Lee and Nels Christiansen. “The love I have for each one of these guys is amazing, and I cherish it,” Shaw commented during a humble acceptance speech as he gestured towards his former athletes in attendance. “You have made my life special. Thank you for what you have done, how you have impacted people, impacted me, and impacted this university.”
After comments by EMC alumni Dr. Greg Anderson and Dr. Dave Harness, Shaw unveiled the bust to a rousing applause from those in attendance. “Today we honor the legacy of a coach, a mentor, an inspiration and a friend,” said MSUB director of athletics Krista Montague as she welcomed the small crowd Friday afternoon. “Coach Shaw is one of the most successful coaches in EMC and MSUB history, and we are proud to honor him in this unique way today.” Dr. Anderson and Dr. Harness each to a turn at the podium, sharing memories from their experience as student-athletes at Eastern Montana College under the tutelage of Shaw. “This bronze sculpture will make positive that the dedication and excellence that Coach Shaw has brought to this institution over four decades will last and be long remembered,” commented Dr. Harness. “We thank you coach for being part of our lives, and you’ll always be the patriarch of a family of men who you brought together to share immeasurably valuable lifelong relationships.” “I think of excellence, I think of the adventures we all had, and I think about the access to the world,” commented Dr. Anderson. “I look at my life today, and where it would have been had I not had EMC. I came to college because of gymnastics, and once I got here it opened the world to me. This is just a small token of appreciation from the gymnasts and this is a legacy.” During his tenure at MSUB, Shaw served the department of health and human performance as a teacher of health and physical education, first aid and CPR, outdoor education, and adventure education. He was the department’s chairperson from 2006-09, was an advisor to student health enhancement and outdoor adventure leadership majors, and served on a number of committees. Shaw is credited with the development of the outdoor adventure leadership major, as well as the design, development, and construction of MSUB’s low ropes challenge course. In addition to his contributions as a professor, Shaw also served as the head gymnastics coach where he mentored 34 all-Americans and helped his teams qualify for national championships on 16 different occasions. MSUB hosted the NAIA National Gymnastics Championships in 1978 and 1980, years in which Shaw was named NAIA Gymnastics Coach of the Year. Shaw was the NCAA Division II Gymnastics Coach of the Year award runner-up in 1986, and was inducted into MSUB’s Hall of Fame and Distinction in 1994. Shaw’s awards and honors as a professor include the Outstanding Teaching Award (1984), the Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching (1994), and the Faculty Meritorious Award (2002, 2005). Beyond his contributions to MSUB, Shaw served as the chair of the Billings American Red Cross Board of Directors in 1992, after receiving the Montana High School Association Service Citation Award in 1986, and the American Red Cross Outstanding Achievement and Service Award in 1990. Shaw earned his bachelor’s degree in health, physical education, and recreation in 1967 from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., before completing his master’s degree in the same field of study one year later. He was originally hired at Eastern Montana College as an instructor of health, physical education, and recreation and as the head gymnastics coach. In 1972 he was appointed assistant professor of health and physical education, and in 1981 he was promoted to associate professor of health and human performance.
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