Alverson honored at Tooele ceremony

TOOELE — Tooele coach Gary Alverson didn't want to be rolled to midcourt in his wheelchair, followed by nearly 40 family members, old high school teammates and cheered on by well more than a 1,000 people in the stands. But on Wednesday, he had no choice.

Whether he liked it or not, Wednesday night was "Gary Alverson" night at Tooele High School, and friends and family members — including his five sons, one daughter and nine grandchildren — came from all over the state to pay respects to one of the nicest coaches in the state.

"He's been a wonderful husband and father, and those things are very important to him. I think for a man, he's been an exceptional good friend to a lot of other men. Not only in coaching, but in our church, and some of his friends from high school," said Lois Alverson, Gary's wife of 36 years. "I don't know anybody who has anything bad to say about Gary."

The proof was standing at midcourt and all over the gym Wednesday for nearly 15 minutes prior to tip-off of the Grantsville-Tooele game.

Joining Alverson, 59, on the court were nearly all of his basketball teammates from his Tooele graduating class of 1964 — as well as a handful of 1963 graduates. During the ceremony, the school retired his No. 55, unveiled a "Gary Alverson" banner above the scoreboard, but perhaps most importantly to Alverson, a banner that said 2005 State Champs was unfurled in the gym.

That 3A championship represents the beginning of Alverson's 13-month long battle with lung cancer caused by asbestos, a battle he's fought with every breath and continues to fight.

As a young man, Alverson came in contact with asbestos while working at a smelter in Tooele. Last December, a cough that he just figured was pneumonia turned out to be much more serious. A biopsy revealed cancer in one of his lungs, and he immediately began chemotherapy.

Amazingly, he never missed a practice, and ultimately guided Tooele to its first basketball state championship in school history with a stunning upset of heavily-favored Wasatch.

A weakened heart made surgery too risky, so Alverson underwent a few radiation treatments and continued praying for a miracle.

Through it all, he's maintained a positive outlook on life.

"He's never complained, and the fact he's never complained and said anything negative through this whole ordeal is inspiring," said Tooele guard Mike Holt.