Former board member honored in hometown

The Madera Tribune File Photo

Gary Adams.

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Former Madera Unified School District Board member, principal, teacher and coach Gary Adams was recognized last month in his home town with a Distinguished Service Award.

Adams spent 20 years at Washington Elementary School as both a teacher and a principal. He then served two terms as a Board of Trustees member.

Adams was recognized on Feb. 19 in his home town of St. Ignace, Michigan, for his contribution to the city’s athletics programs.

Adams was born and raised in St. Ignace and graduated from LaSalle High School in 1956. He earned 10 varsity letters in high school playing football, basketball and baseball.

He received his bachelors and masters in public school administration from Northern Michigan University and his credential in counseling at Fresno State.

Adams started the St. Ignace Little League program in 1957. Five years later, he returned to the city to teach and coach and some of his Little League players were freshmen and sophomore in high school.

Adams coached football and then relocated to California where he coached basketball at Madera High School.

Adams was also a referee and umpire for 38 years. He officiated two Southern California State Basketball championship games in his tenure. He also umpired Div. 1 college baseball and also umpired the California Junior College baseball championships.

Adams now resides in St. Ignace where he enjoys attending every local sporting event possible.