WHO WAS PAUL HANSON?.... By John Samford

Submitted by John Samford: Gallup-McKinley County School District

So many things can be said of the man we called Paul, as he was a colorful, dedicated, redneck, Okie from Ada, Oklahoma. His career varied from being a Marine, teacher, coach, principal, banker, mayor, city council member and superintendent of schools. From 1954-1959 he served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps that included being a diplomat courier at the American Embassy in London, England.

“An Educator with High Expectations and the Strength to Accomplish Them.” Paul Hanson had a presence in the Gallup-McKinley County Schools beginning in 1963 as a teacher in Tohatchi. He served as teacher, elementary principal and high school principal in the District until 1979, when he returned to Oklahoma as an assistant superintendent. Paul returned to Gallup-McKinley County Schools in 1982 as Assistant to the Superintendent, and was named Superintendent of Schools in March 1984, succeeding Carroll “Sam” Crow.

Upon Paul’s death on February 22, 1985 employees and fellow administrators spoke with respect saying: “He just cared”, “When we worked together, we played together. I had a great deal of respect for him both as a man and an educator”, “a strength that made people like to work for him. He didn’t push, but you knew what was expected”, “a true friend, a strong family man, a leader, and a dedicated educator through and through”. From this dedication, to Paul and his survivors, wife Sharlene, daughter Leslie and son, Brian Paul, arose the idea of a long term memorial, not just to Paul’s memory but to his dedication to education.

District staff like Roland Carey, Bud Hendrickson, Larry Binkley, Ramon Vigil, Tommy Batson, Herb Walsh, Chris DiGregorio and others (Board President Cal Foutz and member Barbara Stanley), knew that a special event was needed. The people that have continued to promote, organize and keep this tournament moving include, through the years, Ed Ping, James Pina, Larry Muzingo, Roy Franklin, Angelo DiPaolo, John Samford and Robert Gintowt.

The tournament, through all these efforts, now awards a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior in all eight District high schools; and thanks to strong individual and corporate support this will continue when the District has nine high schools.

This is what Paul D. Hanson represents to the past and future.