Gail Fillmore Garwick, class of 1962, participated in volleyball and basketball for four years and softball for two years at McPherson College at a time when athletic opportunities for women were very limited. She held offices, including president of the College’s Women’s Athletic Association, an activity which was a indicator of her future involvement in sports administration as well as coaching.
Following her graduation from McPherson, Garwick went on to teach and coach at Hutchinson, Kan., High School, Sterling College, Central Junior High in Nampa, Idaho, and the College of Idaho in Caldwell. For over 20 years, she served as counselor as well as physical education instructor and coach in the Middleton, Idaho, schools where she coached volleyball, basketball, softball, field hockey, tennis, and track at both the high school and collegiate levels. Garwick received her Masters of Education degree in counseling from the College of Idaho in 1978.
Garwick officiated basketball and volleyball at both the high school and collegiate levels, and for 25 years she has been selected to officiate in the Idaho state high school volleyball tournament.
Garwick has received numerous state and national officiating and coaching awards including twice being named Idaho Volleyball Official of the Year, Idaho Pathfinder Award from the National Association of Girls’ and Women’s Sports, National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association Outstanding Volleyball Official, Distinguished Service Awards from the Idaho High School Activities Association and the Idaho Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
In 1997, the Middleton schools established the “Gail Garwick Outstanding Female Athlete Award,” awarded annually to a three-sport senior female athlete at Middleton HS.
Retired in 1997 following a 35-year career in education, Garwick continues to serve as the Idaho District III volleyball commissioner, a capacity she has held for 25 years. She also assigned officials to eastern Oregon high schools in 2001 was selected to officiate the Oregon state high school volleyball tournament. Gail has served as a representative to the state board of the Idaho Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and she helped establish the Women’s Officials Board for Idaho. Garwick also was instrumental in the establishment and conducting of volleyball and basketball campus for elementary school students in her home state.
Garwick received recognition for 20 years of service for being a Resource Leadership person in Canyon City, Idaho, and continues her role as an active leader in the Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren where she has served six terms on the church board, and as deacon, Bible study leader, and member of the choir and women’s fellowship.
