Rich Hammermaster

Rich Hammermaster served as boys basketball coach from 1964 to 1978 at his alma mater, Puyallup High School. Hammermaster compiled a 14-year record of 174-113 while leading PHS to six straight league championships in the mid-1960s through the early 1970s. During that six-year run, the Vikings put together a 76-4 record in league play with a 111-17 overall mark. Hammermaster's 1971 Puyallup team won the AAA state championship, earning Hammermaster the State Coach of the Year honor.

Born Nov. 19, 1935, in Tacoma, Wash., Hammermaster earned two letters each in football, basketball and tennis during his time as a student at Puyallup High School. Rich was an honorable mention All-American football player at the College of Puget Sound after graduating from Puyallup.

Hammermaster returned to his alma mater as a teacher and a coach, serving also as an assistant to PHS football coaching legend Bob Ryan and as head coach of both boys and girls tennis from 1962-71. He worked as a football official from 1965-99, working games from the junior high to college level.