John Chiapuzio – Teacher / Coach, 1953-1965

John “Chip” Chiapuzio was an outstanding teacher and coach at NBHS. In 1950, John married his wife Nadine, came to   North Bend in 1953, and worked here until 1965. During John’s first year at NBHS, he created and coached the school’s first wrestling team.  John also coached football as an assistant for Coach Frank Akins for two years and the line coach for Cliff Saxton.  Coach Saxton stated that John was the best assistant he ever had. John was a popular physical education teacher and department head. His PE dept. was awarded the “Outstanding High School PE Program” for two years.  As another way to encourage physical activity among the students, John also founded a men’s tumbling club. John moved his family to St. Paul, Minnesota after 1965 where he taught PE, coached football, and started the baseball program at Concordia College. In only his second year there, the Concordia baseball team qualified for the National Tournament. John went on to earn his Doctorate in PE from the University of Oregon in 1972. In 1973, his family moved back to Oregon, where John became the athletic director at Sheldon High School. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1986. John and Nadine had three children: Suzanne, Rex, and Kurt.