June 14, 2013

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Lynda Goodrich, who announced her retirement as director of athletics at Western Washington University in early May, recently received two tributes.

Last week it was announced at the annual Vikings' Dub-Dub-Blue awards celebration that beginning in 2014, the Lynda Goodrich Legacy Award will be presented each year to a person, be it coach, athlete, staff member or other, exhibiting her characteristics of passion, strength, courage, and leadership.

On Friday, June 14, Goodrich was honored with a resolution recognizing her service at the WWU Board of Trustees' meeting.

It read:

WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

RESOLUTION NO. 2013 - 06

RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF Lynda Goodrich

WHEREAS, in 1987, Lynda Goodrich was appointed by President G. Robert Ross as the Director of Athletics at Western Washington University; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich brought to her appointment as Director of Athletics prior experience as Associate Athletics Director for two years and Director of Women's Sports for seven years, and 19 seasons as women's head basketball coach, all at Western; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Western; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich has provided exceptional leadership and the WWU Athletics Department has enjoyed unmatched success in school history for 26 years, now being recognized regionally and nationally both athletically and academically as one of the elite NCAA Division II programs; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich has been a highly effective leader noted for her vision, straight forwardness, energy and commitment and has served with commitment and distinction as Director of Athletics; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich has directed Western to nine team national championships, the only ones in school history, and guided the program in stepping up from the NAIA to NCAA Division II; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich led Western to nine Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Sports Championships, including each of the last five years, and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich took Western to its most successful campaign in school history in 2012-13, winning the most league titles (8) and garnering the most points (206) in GNAC history, along with the men's and women's basketball and men's golf teams all advancing to the national semifinals, the women's rowing team placing third, the women's soccer team reaching the Far West Regional final and the volleyball squad getting to the regional semifinals; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich, won 411 games in 19 seasons as women's basketball coach, never having a losing season, reaching the post-season 18 times, winning 20 games 13 times; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich, was twice a finalist for National Division II Coach of the Year honors in 1981 and 1982, directed the Vikings to two quarterfinal finishes at the NAIA National Tournament and three regional titles and subsequent trips to the AIAW National Tournament; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich, directed a program which had student-athletes graduate at rates well above the national average for NCAA Division II; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich, has garnered numerous sports administration honors, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Western's Alumni Association in 1988, and has been inducted into five Hall of Fames, including the NAIA, WWU Athletics, Northwest Women's Sports, Snohomish Country Athletics and Lake Stevens High School Athletics; and

WHEREAS, Lynda Goodrich will be retiring from Western to pursue new adventures in the next stage of her life;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Western Washington University offers thanks and commendation to Lynda Goodrich on her many achievements and exemplary service as Director of Athletics.

PASSED AND APPROVED by the Board of Trustees of Western Washington University at its regular meeting on June 14, 2013.