Remembering Alan Guffey

[glenn]

It was with great shock that I learned my friend Alan Guffey, 62, died during heart surgery on Wednesday. He'd moved to Modesto, Calif., years of hard and effective work in girls' and women's basketball, to be close to his children and grandchildren. Alan spoke excitedly about the move, which makes his passing all the more tragic.

Most will remember Alan for founding the Washington Tournament Association (WTA), which raised the bar in the greater Seattle area for youth basketball tournaments. Alan placed a premium on organization, affordability and fairness, and often partnered with programs to aid their fundraising efforts. He also recently took on a major project in the Sammamish High School girls' basketball program and, before that, coached at Edmonds Community College and Blaine High School.

Alan also was part of a very small group of coaches who put the area on the national map in the world of club basketball. In that sense, he truly was a pioneer.

I will remember Alan fondly as a confidant and very early supporter of HoopGurlz, and as someone who shared our concern and commitment to "doing the right thing." We talked about that frequently. The whole national girls' basketball scene owes him a debt of gratitude.

We will keep his memory and spirit alive by renaming the Washington HS forum in his honor. Seeing his name will bring a smile to my face, but he nevertheless will be desperately missed.

[glenn]

Viewing will be Thursday, Jan. 21, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Chapel service is Friday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m.

Both will be at Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel, 419 Scenic Dr., Modesto, Calif., 95350, (209) 523-5646.

[RCougs]

Alan was one of the first "Big Three" of summer select teams. He started in the Bellingham area in the '87 or '88 summer with Prostock. Gary Wilson (later of South Kitsap) with the Puget Sound (now Columbia) Cascades and Ben Wright (Rainier Beach) of the Satin Dolls were the others who were the first true Western Washington select summer teams.

Very sorry to hear the news on Alan. His contributions to Washington State Girls Basketball will not be forgotten.

[scoutnwhoops]

My thoughts and prayers are with the Guffey family.

[Bruins83]

Alan ran some great tournaments and made them accessible and affordable to all types of clubs. He was always very kind. Such sad news

[scoutnwhoops]

I spoke to Alan's daughter, Kelly Heese. His passing is all the more tragic because he was in for what was portrayed as a routine test.

There is a memorial fund; any contributions can be sent to Alan's other daughter:

Tisha Walker
1805 Camden Dr.
Modesto CA 95355

As most people know, Alan was a sole proprietor, so he didn't have many of the benefits most of us take for granted.

Finally, the family has been hearing from people up in Seattle and it warms their hearts that Alan touched the lives of so many.

~ Glenn

[edozier]

WOW! Is all I can say! I have known Alan only a short 6 years, but in that timeframe he has been a great person for our NW community. As a young coach he would even offer advice, or tips on certain things when we talked. I just talked to him before he left, I listened to him speak about how excited he was going to be with his grandchildren, and also how he would miss basketball here.

My team has played in his tourneys for years, and found his tourney transition to the Gahan's truly professional. Alan will be greatly missed!

On behalf of Shock Girls Basketball, we send our thoughts & prayers with his family.