Gary Boxley says farewell to Guthrie High School

If it was not for his wife, Gary Boxley would not have shown up to his own retirement reception.

Boxley, who served as the athletic director for 14 years at Guthrie Public Schools, announced on Sept. 24 that he would be retiring and will begin to work outside of the education field.

A reception was held last week in the high school cafeteria where he was greeted with family, friends, co-workers, coaches, teachers and administration. Related story: Guthrie High School athletic director resigns his post

“My wife (Tami Boxley) made me come to this,” a honest and humble Boxley said.

Guthrie High School Principal Chris LeGrade, assistant principal Dusty Throckmorton, tennis coach Mary Hudson, track and cross country coach Clay Tarter, along with friends Merritt Roberts and Phil Nichols, who had children attend the school during the Boxley tenure, all spoke kind words of Boxley.

Boxley spoke quickly while trying to hold back tears. He worked harder to hold back those tears when he looked to his right and saw majority of the coaches that he has worked with over the last several years.

He admitted he will miss the comradery with the coaches, players and teachers the most.

Boxley was surprised and honored one last time last Friday evening between the third and fourth quarters of the high school football game against Piedmont. He was presented with a plaque thanking him for the past 14 years, including 11 state championships and five academic state titles. Audio from Jelsma Stadium via the radio broadcast team.

Boxley came to Guthrie in 2000 and had coaching stops at Crescent, Marlow, Perry and Edmond Memorial along with stints in private business prior to his time in Guthrie. In 2008 his title changed to co-athletic director as some of the duties were given to then football coach Rafe Watkins.  Following Watkins departure to Muskogee last spring, Boxley was again given sole responsibility of leading Bluejay athletics.

In 2009, Boxley was named the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association Coach of the Year and in 2010 was inducted into the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame.