Stillwater Students and Alumni Surprise and Honor Cross Country and Track Coach

Scott Christensen, the track and cross country coach was “absolutely shocked” when Stillwater students and alumni surprised him Saturday with an alumni race and a retirement party.

When Phil Paiement, cross country alumnus heard that his favorite coach was retiring after 31 years he reached out to fellow classmates over Facebook to organize the party and race, while keeping it all under wraps.

“Someone needed to step up and take the initiative," Phil Paiement said. "It is nice to have the current runners meet the alumni, hopefully giving them a spark to win state this year.”

Connie Paiement, Phil’s mother also helped organize the party. She worked with all the local vendors such as and .

“The kids wanted to honor Scott for being a mentor in their high school years,” Connie Paiement said.

The Bayport Marina banquet room was packed with Stillwater High school alumni, current students, friends and parents, all of whom couldn’t say enough good things about Christensen.

“He is a great mentor," said Joshua Choe, a senior at Stillwater high school. "He is not just your coach, he is also your friend.”

“He always had good camaraderie with the team, always inspiring a good atmosphere,” said Dane Wilson, a 2006 alum.

The 2011-2012 school year will be Christensen’s last as the head coach for Stillwater, but he isn’t done working yet.

“I still have enough tread on my tires to help others out,” Christensen said. “Retirement means two things to me: One I will be leaving Stillwater; and two I am too young never to work again.”

He plans to be an assistant coach for another team far from Stillwater.

“I’ll miss the daily contact with the kids and the drive to be successful the most,” Christensen said.

The coach has 40 section titles and 10 state titles under his belt for his entire 39-year career. Most recently, the boys track and field team took the state title in June.

To ensure Christensen’s legacy lives on in Stillwater, a scholarship fund is being set up in his honor. The $500 yearly college scholarship for will be for future Stillwater runners.

The group needs to raise $10,000 to keep the fund sustainable. The group says they are a third of the way to their goal.

Donations can be made at The Partnership Plan or checks can be made payable to the Partnership Plan and mailed to: PO Box 582, Stillwater, MN.