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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Chalich, Spring, Cutter Receive 25-Year Awards

Two longtime Spokane-area coaches, who had outstanding athletic careers as well, are among the recipients of the Inland Empire Sportswriters and Broadcasters 25-year service awards.

George Chalich, a former Spokane City League basketball scoring record-holder, and Jack Spring, a former major-league pitcher from Lewis and Clark, were honored Wednesday for their service to athletics.

SWABs president Dick Wright also presented a 25-year award to retired Whitworth College tennis coach Ross Cutter.

Chalich enters his 50th year on the local sports scene. While at Central Valley High School, he was a four-sport standout and an all-state basketball selection. He played varsity basketball at the University of Washington and Gonzaga University, graduating from GU in 1952. He was inducted into the Inland Empire softball hall of fame in 1992.

He taught and coached at Oakesdale, Mead and North Central high schools for 28 years. His basketball and baseball officiating career has spanned more than 40 years.

Spring has spent 44 years in athletics as a major-league baseball player and scout, minor-league manager, and high school coach and athletic director.

He was a baseball star at Lewis and Clark High School, graduating in 1951, and attended Washington State University before signing his first pro contract with the Spokane Indians. He pitched 18 years, mostly in relief and mostly in the minor leagues, but compiled a 10-3 major-league record.

Spring coached and taught for 15 years at West Valley, leading the Eagles to the 1978 State AA baseball title. He spent 13 years as the school’s athletic director until his retirement last spring.

Cutter served as Whitworth College men’s tennis coach for 33 years and was inducted into the NAIA Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame in 1986. His teams won six Evergreen Conference titles, five district titles and twice placed in the top 10 at nationals.

Upon his retirement in 1991, the Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges established an award for the outstanding male player - the A. Ross Cutter Award. The tennis courts at Whitworth also are named after Cutter.

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