Jimmy Anderson became part of the Beaver basketball family in 1956, when the Hoquiam, Wash., native transferred to then-Oregon State College for his sophomore season following a standout freshman year at Grays Harbor Junior College in nearby Aberdeen.
He’s never really left.
Following his three-year playing career, Anderson coached the freshman team and assistant head coach Slats Gill for three years. He took a two-year break in 1963 and 1964 to coach at Newberg High School, but he returned in 1965, this time for good.
And while his role and responsibilities have changed over the years as he’s evolved from player to freshman coach to varsity assistant to head coach to unofficial program ambassador, his love for all things Beavers has never faltered.