It’s tough to quantify the impact a coach has on their community, from the players to the fans to the rest of the coaching staff. In Phil Lonborg’s case, the numbers are staggering – 40 years, 87 seasons, 29 league championships, and maybe even more to come. But even those daunting digits don’t fully measure the impact Lonborg had on his student-athletes.

Coaching five different sports at three schools across both the middle and high school levels, Lonborg never shied away from a new opportunity to help young athletes. While he spent a few years coaching football and basketball, Lonborg’s longest-lasting tenures came as head bowling, cross country, and track & field coach, predominantly at River Ridge High School.

In 23 years at River Ridge, Lonborg, a USA Track & Field (USATF) Level I Certified track coach and event instructor, coached his teams to three State Championship Titles, helping 50 athletes reach the top of the podium as State Champions in their own individual events. Throughout his stints at River Ridge, Timberline, and Yelm, he coached 59 individual State Champs, capturing 29 League Titles, 23 first place finishes at districts, and 23 more top-eight finishes at the State Tournament.

When he’s not actively coaching, Lonborg offers his knowledge to improve coaching as a whole around the state. As a member of the Washington State Coaches Association (WSCA), Lonborg provided videos for The Science of Coaching Lecture Series, the proceeds for which went to the Make a Wish Foundation. He’s also offered guest lectures at the Pemco All-Sports Clinic in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco, donating his time for the betterment of coaches along the west coast.

On behalf of his dedication to his craft, Lonborg’s communities were quick to recognize their beloved community leader – in 2016, River Ridge HS named its track in Lonborg’s honor. Outside the boundaries of his own community, Lonborg drew the admiration of other coaches around the league and state. He was named League Coach of the Year 21 times and twice earned the recognition of Washington State Coach of the Year.

But in the eyes of those he coached, the extent of Lonborg’s accomplishments remain immeasurable. “I can’t count the number of shoes, t-shirts, or sweatshirts he has purchased for the students at River Ridge HS, but I can assure you it is in the hundreds. . . Phil has purchased more food than equipment – not just for track athletes, but any student that he knew to be hungry,” said Gary Larson, longtime River Ridge athletic director.

Three-time River Ridge HS State Champion Miles Coats credits Lonborg for growing his sense of self-assuredness. “Anyone that he coached,” wrote Coats, “had a sense of self-confidence they didn’t have before.” For every medal Lonborg’s athletes earned on the track, they learned even more about themselves as people.

A true pillar of inspiration in Washington state sports, Lonborg’s name already resides in the River Ridge High School and Washington State Track & Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The WIAA is honored to recognize Phil Lonborg and add his plaque to its own Hall of Fame.