Headed to Finding lost Japan graves Two Ellensburg athletes CWU students may help are headed to Japan to solve the mystery of compete in the annual unmarked graves in the Sanda City Marathon. Roslyn cemeteries. Local, Page A3 Upper County, Page UC1 Good afternoon Wednesday Oct. 23, 2013 Vol. 112, No. 254 Published in the Heart of Washington / DailyRecordNews.com 75 cents CWU: Ex-football coach broke rules Blaine Bennett: University didn’t have cause By DANNY SCHMIDT contract five days before the start administration simply did not agreement between CWU and sports editor of fall practice on Aug. 7 with little want me to be the head coach any United Faculty of Central. The let- explanation by university officials. longer at CWU,” Bennett wrote. “It ter mentioned Bennett had tried Central Washington University He took over as head coach in was also very clear that the reason to hire his father for a summer officials told former head foot- 2008. Bennett helped guide Cen- for this had nothing to do with my football camp, along with other ball coach Blaine Bennett he was tral to four Great Northwest Ath- abilities as a coach, or any cause concerns. violating university rules and pro- letic Conference championships, for termination, but instead it The letter said if another inci- cedures prior to his dismissal in and finished with a 41-16 record. was to fulfill the personal objec- dent occurred, disciplinary action August, according to letters and Bennett provided a general tive of the athletic director and would be taken, and possibly dis- emails from CWU officials. written statement in response to the administration to put in their missal from his position. Most recently, administrators the Daily Record, and said he wel- choice of head coach after for- A letter from Bishop on March cited concerns involving money comes the opportunity to respond mer athletic director, Jack Bishop, 8, 2012, said scholarships and spent on alcohol to entertain high to questions at a later time. He retired.” other waivers for family members school coaches during summer said his dismissal had nothing to The university notified Bennett needed to be approved in advance football camps, according to the do with his coaching. it was concerned with question- by Bishop in writing. It also said documents. The Daily Record “After reading the documents able behavior and misuse of his Bennett was expected to follow obtained letters and emails from on file with CWU, and based upon position September 2010, when internal processes for making Daily Record file photo CWU through a public informa- my meeting on July 26th with former Athletic Director Jack Bish- purchases. tion request. CWU’s representatives, it was op sent a letter saying Bennett Former CWU football coach Blaine Ben- Bennett was released from his made crystal clear to me that the violated a collective bargaining See Coach, Page A8 nett is pictured during spring practice. Stan Bassett lived a life of service Community Memorial service remembers a A memorial service for Stan Bassett is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Ellensburg High School, man known 1203 E. Capitol Ave. by everyone “That’s what kept him healthy, being all over Ellensburg, pushing By ANDY MATARRESE and pushing.” staff writer Work with kids tan Bassett’s mother drove Bassett transferred to Central him to school every day Washington State College from Ssince he was stricken with Green River Community College, polio at age 6, just a few years and graduated with a degree before Jonas Salk discovered a in psychology and minor in vaccine. sociology. Then, buildings and school He started working with Youth buses had few to no amenities for Services of Kittitas County in people in wheelchairs. When his 1986, focusing on the needs of friends turned 16, she was out of a at-risk youth. While on Council, job, older sister Barbara Goodwin he worked to acquire the space said. They all offered to drive. for the youth center that would Bassett loved life, and others come to bear his name. were always drawn to him for it, Daily Record file photo David Hurn, the Stan Bassett she said. Youth Center’s current director, “The thing of him being in his During an Ellensburg City Council meeting in April 2010, longtime Council member Stan Bassett was sur- met Bassett volunteering with wheelchair was probably the least prised to hear that the Council declared May 3 of each year Stan Bassett Day and renamed the youth center Youth Services while in college significant thing about him once to the Stan Bassett Youth Center in recognition of his service to the community. around 2000. you knew him,” she said. “Notice- Now, at the center, he still fields able at first glance, but forgotten just about everyone who went to We were running around getting adapt whiffle ball and other kids occasional phone calls from once you got to know the guy.” school at Morgan knows Stan. into mischief. Everyone else was games so Stan could play, too. people asking after Stan, and they Bassett died Oct. 8 at 69, and He said it quickly became farther apart,” said Goodwin, who “The doctors didn’t think he’d usually end up sharing stories. after a long life of public service obvious that the original plan was born a year earlier. live past 18 because he had polio “I’m in the enviable position and work with youth, many did. for a memorial service in the The family had a big farmhouse so severely,” Goodwin said. that I get to hear all this stuff He 23 years on the Ellensburg Hal Holmes Community Center and spread where the kids would He spent a year quarantined about Stan,” he said. City Council, the longest in city wouldn’t hold the hundreds now play outside. in a hospital, and their mother Hurn studied recreation in history. He never lost in five expected to come, so it’s been set “He’s the one that taught me visited four times a week, she school and knew he wanted to campaigns for reelection, and was for 1 p.m. Saturday at Ellensburg how to shoot a gun,” said brother said. The other children weren’t work with kids. A friend told him mayor twice. High School. Michael Bassett, the youngest. allowed near him. he should work with Bassett. He was director of Kittitas They would hunt duck, and He had an operation to That first few hours volun- County Youth Services for more Growing up with polio Stan gave him his first shotgun, embed metal rods in his spine, teering, meeting him and learning than 30 years, and worked as a Stanley H. Bassett grew up Michael said. which allowed him to move in a about Youth Services turned into lunchroom supervisor for Morgan as the middle child, with three When he became ill, his parents wheelchair. a year, then a career with kids. Middle School for more than 20 sisters and a brother in the Green did what they could to accom- Pushing himself in a wheelchair Bassett, he said, had a years. River Valley, between Auburn and modate him, building ramps allowed him to move and kept his Superman and Clark Kent quality. Ted Barkley, a friend and Kent. and altering the home. Michael body from atrophying, Goodwin Ellensburg’s city manager, said “We were little rapscallions. Bassett said they’d find ways to said. See Bassett, Page A8 Ellensburg Chevrolet INDEX Used Truck Special Taste B1 of the Week Only $28,988 Events calendar A3 Horoscopes, comics B6 Region A5 Sports A6 2007 GMC SILVERADO 2500 CREW CAB Upper County UC1-6 4x4, DuraMax Diesel, Low Miles. #41777 Local news serving Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Roslyn, Kittitas, Easton, Upper County Sports Coming soon Suncadia and all of Kittitas County. School of Distinction: EHS girls soccer: The Ellensburg KV Living: The Daily Record’s Cle Elum-Roslyn High School High School Bulldogs aren’t in the latest edition of KV Living hits celebrated its recent state honor top three, but they just needs to stands Saturday. In this issue, find a 509-925-6985 1008 Canyon Rd, Ellensburg during an assembly last week. In finish in the top six to advance to the story about a mid-century home on www.eburgchev.com detail, Page UC3. postseason. In detail, Page A6. Craig’s Hill, plus much more. $150 negotiable documentation fee may be added to sale price. A8 - Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 Local and Nation Daily Record - www.dailyrecordnews.com COACH BASSETT Continued from Page A1 Continued from Page A1 Bennett was given a three- wrote in the letter. prohibited. It is against the Humble, but motivated. year contract extension in In a letter from Francois policy to spend state money “Stan was mild- 2012. to Bennett on July 25, the on alcohol. mannered and never athletic director said he was “This policy applies to really wanted the Alcohol informed Bennett’s camp all members of the Central spotlight,” he said. “He More recently, officials salary cap was lifted from Washington University com- just wanted to ensure objected to spending on $50,000 to $54,000, “with the munity at all events, on or off awesome opportunities alcohol during summer sole intent that all alcohol campus, sponsored by the for kids.” football camps. Central puts purchased at the off-cam- university, including clubs Not everyone knew him on several football camps pus socials would be paid and organizations, and/or personally, but few kids each summer, which bring directly by you. It was made held in any university facil- at Ellensburg High School in roughly 2,000 players clear that state funds were ity,” the policy says.