Growing up outside of town and attending Philomath schools, the three Motter children — Ben, Trevor and Jessica — can likely all share interesting stories from their years competing in athletics with the Warriors.
Their dad, Jim Motter, loved every minute of it.
A longtime volunteer through years of his children’s involvement with local sports, Motter had an exuberance for various activities. Perhaps he was running the scoreboard or keeping the book during basketball games. Or, maybe he and his wife, Kathy, were helping out as chaperones on team trips out of town.
The list of contributions are endless. For those who watched volleyball, you might’ve even caught a glimpse of Motter’s moves while he was serving as a line judge during his daughter’s matches.
“It was a little galloping and some other things. My best ones were on my line calls,” Motter said last week after he was inducted as the Philomath High Legends Club’s newest member. “I got reprimanded for that from the head judge but good reactions from the crowd though. The students loved it and I was pretty close to a lot of them — and I still am. That was probably the best part of it.”
So how did he come up with the idea?
“Spur of the moment,” said Motter, who is about to turn 69. “I had kids in the crowd yelling for me to do something so I just did it.”
It’s an example of just one of the ways that Motter contributed to PHS athletics.
Steve Bennett, Legends Club director, led a recognition ceremony during halftime of the PHS boys basketball game Feb. 18 against Cascade. Motter, who said he was honestly surprised at the honor, became the club’s 31st member.
“I’ve always loved sports,” Motter said. “I wrestled in high school and from there, I played a lot of city league softball. I just loved being active.”
That included volunteer activities when his kids started competing with local teams.
“We lived out of town and so I had to drive my kids in for practice and always had to be there,” Motter said. “I thought, well, I might as well (volunteer).”
The Legends Club was established in 2011 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Philomath High School athletics. The honor celebrates those who have demonstrated exceptional support through volunteering, financial contributions or other impactful efforts.
In all, Motter has impacted local athletics for more than 30 years — from helping out on the playground at Blodgett Elementary to assisting with coaching Philomath Youth Activities Club teams to those memorable high school years.
Even in more recent years, Motter has contributed to PYAC’s ongoing efforts to serve the community’s youth by cutting and splitting wood.
“PYAC did a lot for us and I really liked helping them,” Motter said.
