Bo Yates, Class of 1984, will be inducted into the Bud and Dorothy Page LHS Alumni Hall of Fame on Oct. 26 for his outstanding achievements in athletics.
The former school district superintendent is well known in the community, mostly by those who grew up with him, watched him excel in any sport he touched, and supported his return to the school district as a coach and teacher.
“Working in Lebanon has been incredibly special for me because I have those relationships I had going to school there,” Yates said. “I was able to keep those and extend those and hopefully provide a good service to the community.”
His former football and wrestling coach, Jim Phillips, highlighted Yates’ complementary abilities that ultimately carried him through life.
“Bo was an excellent athlete and coach because he has physical and intellectual gifts that he honed through years of study, goal-setting and hard work,” Phillips said.
Moving to Lebanon from Pendelton when he was in the fourth grade, Yates’ skills in athletics became evident early on as he participated in various youth sports teams and was usually moved up to a higher age level. One of his many achievements included being a three-time punt, pass and kick winner, which earned him a trip to San Francisco. Even at 10 years old, Yates was working out with high school wrestlers.
As a Warrior, Yates was a three-season athlete, earning varsity letters in four sports.
In football, he was named First Team All-State for three years, earning first team honors as both running back and linebacker, as well as Oregon’s most valuable defensive player as a junior and senior, and most valuable offensive player as a junior. In addition, he was named to numerous All-American teams as a junior and a top 100 national player as a senior.
Yates’ wrestling career was equally impressive, being the only four-time state placer in Lebanon High School history. He was a member of the Oregon National Team and wrestled in Iowa City in the National Freestyle and Greco Tournament.
Additionally, Yates earned varsity letters in baseball as a freshman and sophomore, and in track as a junior and senior, finishing his last season as a district finalist in the 100 meters and shot put.
Looking back on his high school achievements, Yates said it was the culmination of the experience that makes it memorable.
“I think the best thing was just getting to do all those activities with people that I’d grown up with,” he said. “That made it pretty special.”
He noted that it’s fun to be good at something and find success with it, adding that he believes his and his teams’ accomplishments helped Lebanon in its own way, as well.
After graduation, he played linebacker for the University of Washington football team while earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and business. He played as a true freshman, started most games for the next three years, and played in five bowl games. Following his senior year, Yates represented the University of Washington in the Hula Bowl All-Star game.
As a sophomore, junior and senior, he was named to the All-PAC10 Academic Team, as well as earning Pac-10 Player of the Week honors several times. During his senior year, he signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles following his senior year, and also served as the grand marshal for the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Parade.
Yates said being on a team as one grows up creates an opportunity for kids to build resilience. It’s a time when “really important things” take place, including learning from those moments when you’re not successful. It was those kinds of failure that made Yates look in the mirror and reevaluate himself.
“That’s how you build character and grit, determination,” he said. “Not having instant gratification, that’s hard for kids to work through.”
Yates dedicated the rest of his life to coaching, teaching and administration. He served Lebanon Community School District in multiple positions, including teacher, coach, middle school assistant principal, high school principal, athletic director, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
“Every action he would undertake was intentional and purposeful, with student positive results as the driving reason,” said Linda Horner, who worked as the high school office manager when Yates was principal. “He treated every person he encountered with respect and encouragement, inspiring them to always be better, do better and strive to excel, whether it was on a personal, professional, or athletic basis.”
But of all his accomplishments, the biggest achievement he is most proud of is his family, which includes a wife and two sons. Being inducted into the LHS Hall of Fame might be considered the cherry on top of the cake.
“I’m very appreciative and grateful to be nominated and inducted,” Yates said. “That’s a really neat thing for me and my family.”