Coach Gary Shaw ‘Helped Mold Champions in Life’

Hartnell lost one of its most legendary athletics figures on July 1 with the passing of former track, cross country and football coach Gary Shaw at age 75 in Roseville.

In a message to the college and greater community, Hartnell Community College District Governing Board President Aurelio Salazar Jr. extended deepest sympathies to Shaw’s wife, Susie, and their entire family. “We will forever cherish the memory of Gary Shaw and his outstanding service to Hartnell and its students,” Salazar said.

Shaw’s 37-year Hartnell career, from 1969 to 2006, was a crucial building block in the proud tradition of Panther Athletics, as recognized in 2015 with his induction into the Hartnell Athletics Hall of Fame. Starting in 1970, Shaw produced scores of championships in men's and women's track and cross country. 

In track and field, the Hartnell men’s team won an incredible 95 percent of the dual meets entered (124-16). The women’s team enjoyed similar success, winning 90 percent of 249 dual meets entered under Shaw’s leadership. Those wins brought a string of championships as well. Shaw’s men’s track and field teams won 29 conference titles, including 11 in a row from 1987 to 1987, and the women’s team won 15 titles from 1980 to 2006.

Men’s cross country teams won 10 conference and five NorCal titles in his tenure, and the women’s teams won eight conference and three NorCal titles as well.

He also was an assistant football coach for Hartnell for 19 years, including much of the '80s – a golden age for the maroon and gold. His football record was recognized on March 14 when he was inducted into the California Community Colleges Football Coaches Hall of Fame. With characteristic humility, he used the moment to credit Hartnell's student-athletes and his fellow Panther coaches.

Dan Teresa, dean of academic affairs, athletics, physical education and health, said Shaw created a “championship environment for all of his teams and student-athletes.”

“But most importantly, he helped mold young men and women to be champions in life,” Teresa said. “He will sorely be missed by the Hartnell family.”

Shaw’s impact continued even after he stopped coaching, recalled current Panthers coach Chris Zepeda. “One of my last memories of Gary was him holding the winner’s banner at the 2019 Northern CA Championship at Toro Park,” Zepeda wrote on Facebook. “He didn’t need to come all the way down to be there, but any time he could support the Panthers, he did his best to be there.”

 As reported by The Salinas Californian, athletes who ran for Shaw shared tributes as well.

“Running track for you brought out the very best of me,” wrote Gonzales High School football coach Art Belanga, a Hartnell alum. “Under your leadership, I learned so much more than I gave myself credit for. Thank you for the memories.”

The Shaw family has established the Gary Shaw Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Hartnell College Foundation.