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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Braaten Leaving Glasgow Basketball After 11 Seasons

Hailey Sutton SWX
For the first time in 11 seasons, the Glasgow Scotties are on the hunt for a new boys basketball coach. Norm Braaten will no longer lead the Scotties on the hardwoods. Glasgow Athletic Director Brennan Flaten said the school wants to open the position to teachers in the district. While Braaten spent 35 years as a teacher, he retired in 2016. He’s been the boys basketball coach for 11 years. In that span he earned a 134-125 record for his Alma Mater. Flaten said they hope to fill the position quickly, but are thankful for Coach Braaten and all his work with the Scotty program. “Coach Braaten has been a good program leader,” Flatten said. “He’s one of the guys that has been very dependable, and we hope that whether it’s retirement or moving on to coach somewhere else, we hope he has a ton of success.” Braaten was offered the chance to apply for a teaching position, however he declined, and according to 406mtsports.com, he posted the following on Facebook: “IT’S OVER: It’s with obvious sadness, but with reality, that I will no longer apply for the Glasgow Scottie Boys Basketball Head position. I was informed in my exit/evaluation meeting Friday that the A.D. will open the position on Monday in an attempt to fill a teaching opening with coaching. I have been aware the last couple of years that it the Districts attempt to fill all head coaching jobs with teachers in the system so this did not really come as a surprise. Disappointment yes, but I understand and see their position. Do I like it? NO! But I want it known that I harbor NO negativity toward GHS. They have to do what they need to do! Hopefully it is in the best interest of the students. I just hope they then actually open ALL Head Coaching positions in the future that are not teachers within the system. I have had the honor and privilege to have coached in the Glasgow system for 11 years. During that time, I was given the opportunity to coach many great kids and truly hope that the lessons I’ve tried to teach both on and off the court will help enable them success in life! So many thanks need to go out! Some I will do personally, others including the GHS Administration, Board, and AD’s Thibault and Flaten and the complete staff at GHS…. I SAY THANK YOU! GHS is a class act and I was lucky to have been a part of it. To my players, both past and present, you know how I feel about you guys!! As I often said, but probably never enough, you were and will always be special to me and my family. Thanks for the great, great times we had, whether in defeat or victory. You guys were always a CLASS ACT!! I FOREVER WISH YOU GUYS THE BEST OF LUCK AND SUCCESS ON AND OFF THE COURT!! Finally, the biggest THANK YOU of all goes to my friends and family that were always there whether in victory or defeat. Your support meant everything in life. To Stacy, Marisa, Dustin you’ve always had my back. Stacy, you’ve allowed me to forever chase my coaching dreams and have sacrificed so much as I coached. Lastly as I’ve learned in life as one door closes, another opens. Opportunities are always there in life and who knows!!!!!!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!! GO SCOTTIES!!!!!”