Hi, my name is Libby Waterbury; one of Brian’s two daughters. Nominating my dad for the San Luis High Athletics Hall of Fame seemed like a good idea until I realized it meant I’d have to stand up here and give a speech. My dad gladly would have stood up in front of any number of students, athletes, runners, you-name-it and talked about any topic you liked, though it was usually related to math or running.

Knowing that I competed in cross country & track at the high school under the legacy of a program that he helped build along with Coaches Bruce Smith & Ron Hamley; then passed off to who became my head coach, Steve Boaz, I knew that I needed to take a moment and at least give an introduction.

Coach Waterbury was very much of the opinion of why run by yourself when you could rope other people into running with you. When his eligibility to run for Cal Poly ended in the spring of 1970, he got buddies together and created the race now known as “Rock to Pier”. When he started teaching, he immediately started coaching as well – at Laguna & then San Luis High. 

He was passionate about making running accessible to more people and specifically to girls. As a big supporter of Title IX (passed in 1972), he made sure that girls had equal access to athletic opportunities, especially at the high school. He coached many of the early team league champions, including the girls cross country team who won three years in a row from 1977 to 1979; Boys cross country in 1974 & 1979; girls track & field in 1979 & 1980; and boys track in 1980.

If he wasn’t in his math classroom, you could find Coach Waterbury out at Cross Country practice or on the Track – where he would be inspiring runners, putting on races, timing track meets, driving athletes to meets, learning how to throw a discus – if the team needed it, he was going to make sure it happened. The work ethic he demonstrated to and supported in his athletes has made a lasting impact in their lives.

He loved running Poly Canyon and did so at least once a week for over 40 years. Our rough estimate was that he did it over 2,000 times. He would be thrilled to know that the whole SLO High team now runs “Front Canyon” every week for most of the year. I’m not sure he would have believed anyone who might have had the foresight to tell him that my twins, his grandkids, would be treading in his path up there for the last four years during their high school running careers. 

And now I am very happy to introduce my nephew, Brian, with us tonight and here to accept this honor on behalf of the family.

Hello, I’m Brian [Phan], named after my Grandpa Brian. We also share the same birthday [August 8] and a love for math, although at 13, I’d probably choose dancing or swimming over running. The running genes were definitely passed to my cousins, Kimberly & Rebekah!

I never got a chance to meet him as he passed away back in 2003 from melanoma. 

I can tell you that I have learned over the years that he loved running, coaching, and he loved sharing his passion for running with others. We may not be able to hear his gratitude in his own words tonight, but we can share a story from one of his former student-athletes that was shared coming into this momentous evening. It conveys the legacy and inspiration that Coach Waterbury had over so many people in the San Luis High School community.

Joe Haydock shared: “I ran track and cross country at SLOSH in the late seventies, and Brian Waterbury was my coach. For those in the know, our cross country course included a brutal trip up the switchbacks on the mountain behind the high school. Sometimes, at the end of our cross country workouts, Coach would call out, “Mr. Guts!” This was the signal to start from where we were (usually on the track) and run (full speed) the part of the course that included those dreaded switchbacks. It was a challenging workout after already completing a challenging workout. Those switchbacks were not easy. It felt like we were crawling up to the top. Coach would position himself there, at the most difficult place on the course, and he would cheer us on, saying: “Keep going! A few moments of pain for a lifetime of glory!” He provided the motivation we needed to push through the pain [and] reach the summit.”

I would like to add that what my Aunt Libby didn’t mention was that those early league championships were when she and my mom were babies. We have heard how Grandpa Brian inspired lots of runners, yet he could not have done it without the amazing support from my Grandma Sue. They were married over 30 years and both taught at the high school. Their teamwork as a couple allowed him to become the coach known by San Luis High student-athletes and the broader community.

Even though Kimberly, Rebekah, and I never knew our grandpa, we have been watching and listening to the stories about the running and coaching that he achieved. We are proud to know that he carried the Olympic Torch ahead of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games; that he challenged his students on the track and in the classroom; and that we can carry on that legacy to push through those few moments of pain, because the lifetime of glory will actually last beyond our own lifetimes if we’re as lucky as Coach Waterbury.

Thank you again on behalf of the Waterbury family.