Erik Anderson Died in a Tragic Accident at Spokane Community College
Erik Anderson, 38, head coach of the CCS men and women’s cross country teams, died in a tragic accident Thursday, Feb. 19, while working on bowling alley equipment in the SCC Lair-Student Center.
“We are devastated by this terrible incident. The loss of this outstanding coach, colleague, and friend is a blow to us all,” SCC President Joe Dunlap said in a statement Thursday afternoon. Grief counseling, coordinated through SCC Student Services, has been and will continue to be available to students, faculty and staff, he added.
Anderson was named head cross country coach for CCS men and women in 2004, previously serving as an assistant coach at CCS and Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. Under his leadership, CCS men and women’s teams swept the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges’ (NWAACC) cross country championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Anderson also was a multi-year NWAACC Cross Country Coach of the Year recipient at CCS and Clark College.
Anderson earned an associate of arts degree at Clark College, competed for the college cross country and track teams, and earned All American honors in four events. He completed his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Linfield College, McMinnville, Ore. He also attended Eastern Washington University, Cheney, where he earned a master’s degree in exercise science and physiology.
At Linfield, Anderson received two NAIA All-American awards in track and cross country and was a four-time Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges (today known as the Northwest Conference) champion in cross country, the 5000m and steeplechase. He also placed third nationally in the steeplechase.
Anderson is survived by his wife, Mariza, and two children.