Coach Murray Satterfield, 1926-2013

“S—A—T—T—E-R-F-I-E-L-D.  Cooooooach Satterfield!”  At some point during a Borah basketball game in the first half of the decade of the 60’s, the Lion cheerleaders would lead the Pep Club in that cheer.  I remember that because I was kind of a Borah sports nerd at that time.  And, of course, my sister was a sophomore cheerleader during Coach Satterfield’s last year at Borah, and I remember her practicing her cheers at home.

I began following Borah sports competition seriously when I was in the 6^th grade, aka, the 1962-1963 school year.  The year before, the 1961-1962 Borah basketball team had a great run. I remember most a 5-8 guard named Dick Powell (brother of Gary Powell, class of’67) and 6-6 center Bill Farley.  In those days, the state tournament alternated between Pocatello and Boise.   I remember listening on the radio to the Lions, who had the best record in the Treasure Valley, lose in the semi-finals and I was heart broken.  In the 62-63 season, the Lions appeared to be the best in the valley again.

1961-62 Borah Lions

The Lions played well during the early regular season with a team with so much talent it was hard to figure who should be the starters.  Halfway through the season Coach Satterfield kicked several players off the team for shop lifting.  I don’t remember all the details, but only one of the regular starting five was left.  He filled the empty spots with players from the sophomore and JV teams, and the team finished the season respectably, including two wins over the rival Boise Braves.  Needless to say, it took a lot of character to dismiss some top athletes, including his own son, and hold them accountable for their actions.  The Lions did not make it to the state tournament.

1963-64 Borah Lions

The next season the Lions were in top form.  Led by Ron Imel, who was voted the #1 player in the state by the sportswriters, the Lions were 22-1 heading into state and were heavily favored to win it all. But for the second time in three years the Lions lost in the semi-finals – to Twin Falls – after blowing a big lead.

1964-65 Borah Lions

In '65 they were 22-1 going into state again, but this time they came from behind in the semi-finals and beat Couer d Alene.  After the game, Coach Satterfield excitedly told the Statesman reporter, “We broke the semi-finals jinx!”  The next night they got some revenge by overcoming Twin Falls, and Borah had its 1st state basketball title, 48 years ago. Coach Satterfield was hired to coach Boise Junior College – which was preparing to become a four year institution – after that season.  Borah won its second state championship again the next year without him.  

I found this last picture very interesting.  This is a picture of Coach Satterfield in the fall of 1965, the year he took the basketball head coaching job at Boise Junior College. with head coach Lyle Smith and the football staff.  Yes, the football staff.  He got the head basketball job, but in those days you did double, or triple, duty.  And notice the size of the staff.  Four coaches.

Coach Satterfield coached his son Bob, who was on the team that lost in the semi-finals at state in 1964.  His son Jay was on the 1968 Borah team that lost in the semi-finals at state.  But the coach lead Borah to its first state title before going on to a successful college coaching career, including 134-77 record at Boise Junior College, Boise College, Boise State College, and Boise State University.