His HHS girls basketball teams were a true dynasty
A legion of fans, sports parents and multiple generations of athletes knew Harry Tappin as the greatest of great basketball coaches who ever stalked the sidelines of a Sonoma County basketball court.
Others who knew him more closely are now remembering him as a community leader, youth sports and education advocate, devout family man and lifelong partner to his wife, Karen.
Tappin died at his Healdsburg home on April 20, following several years of declining health due to a series of cancers and strokes. He was 79.
Tappin began his historical career in high school girls basketball coaching in 1984. His Healdsburg High School teams won their Sonoma County League title 12 times in 16 years, advancing to the North Coast Section title three times, Nor Cals twice and were state runners-up twice. In all, Tappin coached boys and girls teams at HHS for 30 years.
Tappin was born in San Francisco in 1938 and grew up in Mendocino County before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He met his future wife, Karen Olsborg in Ukiah and the couple moved to Healdsburg in 1969 after being married.
While most thought Tappin’s full-time job was being basketball coach, he actually owned Healdsburg’s ABC Glass, learning his trade while in the Army.
The Tappins quickly got involved in youth activities in their new hometown, urging the city to upgrade its play equipment in its parks. As a Kiwanis member, Tappin was active in the club’s Christmas tree lot.
As cancer survivors, both Harry and Karen were active in the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life.
A celebration of Harry Tappin’s life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 at the St. John’s School gymnasium.
Tappin is survived by four children, Herman, Lauree, Natalee and Cheree. Harry and Karen were married for almost 58 years. Nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.
“‘Coach’ was my coach, mentor, friend and father figure,” remembers Jackie Henderson Sellards, a former player who also coached with Tappin. “He was a great coach. Patient, caring and disciplined. He made us work hard and it was rewarded by our winning records.”
In 1989, Tappin challenged his SCL champion Greyhounds to higher tournament success. He pledged to curl his hair with a perm if the team won the NCS title and he promised to shave his head if they advanced to state. That year, Tappin had to get the perm, but a close loss to a higher ranked team at the state finals spared him the shave.
“Tough, demanding, lovable, respected,” is how Dick Bugarske, retired educator and sports booster remembers Tappin. “Harry touched the lives of so many young athletes and gave them a chance to excel personally and as a member of a team.”
Tappin was inducted into the Healdsburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. This past February, he was honored during a halftime of a HHS girls basketball game at Smith Robinson Gym with dozens of past players, coaches and parents on the court and filling the bleachers.
“I consider Harry as one of my biggest mentors in coaching. He truly was the biggest pioneer of girls basketball in Northern California. He put girls basketball on the map,” said Joe Passalacqua, who coached with Tappin for many years.
Tappin also coached Pop Warner football and CYO boys and girls basketball.
Tappin’s HHS girls varsity teams of the 1980s and early 1990s remain one of Sonoma County’s top prep sports dynasties, according to a consensus of local sports journalists and league officials.
Tappin developed summer leagues for girls basketball players, including extensive travel to top talent competition along the west coast. He also developed younger girls basketball programs at the Healdsburg Boys & Girls Club for grades 3-5.
Tappin’s teams were frequently visited by college coaches and recruitment teams. Many of his players earned full college scholarships.
Only a few Healdsburg old-timers will remember when Tappin ran for city council in 1974, finishing one place behind the three winners. His campaign slogan was “Make It Happen With Tappin.”
The Tappin family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Healdsburg Education Foundation (PO Box 1668, Healdsburg, CA 95448) or to the American Cancer Society, Redwood Chapter (1451 Guerneville Road Suite 220, Santa Rosa, CA 95403).
