Bertrand To Be Back With Everett’s Cascade High School Track Program in Lesser Role

A few weeks ago long time Cascade High cross country track coach Steve Bertrand was told his contract as coach would not be renewed. That move sparked a huge outcry from students and parents who signed petitions, went to the school board meeting and insisted Bertrand be reinstated. He’s been involved in the track program since 1980 and graduated from Cascade High in 1974. He was a major force in getting an upgraded running track put in at Cascade and did get in minor trouble with the district last fall for asking students on the cross-country team to participate in political campaign activities for a fellow Cascade teacher. Yesterday the Everett School District announced Bertrand will return to the program in a different role. Here’s a press release from Mary Waggoner at Everett Schools…

Cascade High School reorganizes track and cross country coach positions

Coach Steve Bertrand says, “I look forward to years of continued service.”

In a joint announcement today, Cascade High School Principal Cathy Woods and District Athletic Director Robert Polk introduced Bill Hull as the head coach for Cascade’s cross country program. In both head coach and assistant coach roles, Hull has coached cross country for 26 years. He also teaches fitness at Cascade High. He assumes full leadership of the cross country program when the season begins in August.

Woods and Polk confirmed that the reorganization of coaches opens up resources for other changes. “We will be recruiting female assistant coaches for cross country to strengthen the girls’ participation on the team,” said Polk. “This is good for students.”

In the reorganized cross country coaching structure, Steve Bertrand will be an assistant coach. He will also serve as an assistant coach for Cascade’s track program this spring, a position he accepted after resigning from the position of head track coach.

Coach Bertrand said today of the reorganization, “I would like to thank Superintendent Gary Cohn, Cascade Principal Cathy Woods, and Everett Coaches’ Association President Rachel Zupke for their time and attention. I am pleased that I will be able to continue to work with kids. I am very appreciative and humbled by the support from this community, and I look forward to years of continued service.”