Jeff Olson, left, former Ishpeming High School teacher and coach, is named as the newest inductee into the A. Felch Pendill Wall of Excellence on Thursday. Shown with him following the ceremony, which took place at Marquette Senior High School, is Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education Trustee James Randall. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

MARQUETTE — Jeff Olson, a Marquette Senior High School graduate who led his Ishpeming teams to three state football championships as their coach, was inducted into the A. Felch Pendill Wall of Excellence on Thursday.

However, he likely has left his greatest mark on the world by educating the public about suicide as a result of a medical illness after his son and a standout student-athlete, Daniel, died by suicide in 2012 after battling anxiety and depression for years.

Inductees of the Pendill Wall, located at MSHS, are alumni of Marquette Area Public Schools who have distinguished themselves in their professions, been involved in public or community service, and demonstrated time and contributions to society.

“This is really as prestigious a ceremony as we can do for Marquette Area Public Schools,” MAPS Superintendent Bill Saunders said.

Olson, a 1981 graduate of MSHS, coached for 37 years in three sports. He was at Ishpeming High School for 27 years, leading the football team to three championships as well as two runner-up finishes and many conference, district and regional championships.

Olson was named to the Michigan Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and was awarded multiple state Coach of the Year and Upper Peninsula Coach of the Year awards.

“He always required his team to volunteer and perform community service to help them grow as individuals,” MAPS Board of Education Trustee James Randall said while reading Olson’s biography at the ceremony.

Since his son’s death, Olson has traveled around the Midwest making presentations on mental illness, anxiety, depression and suicide with the goal of creating an understanding of the illnesses and ending their stigma.

Olson mentioned accomplished members of his family, including a brother who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average in accounting, another brother who became an electrical engineer, and sisters who graduated from the Notre Dame Law School, earned a master’s degree in English and became a nurse and an actuary.

“Out of all the seven of us, which one gets elected to the Pendill Wall of Excellence? The gym teacher,” Olson joked.

However, he was serious when he stressed what people do with their lives are the true championships.

“Did you help others?” Olson asked. “Were you a giving person? Did you make the world a better place?”

Olson undoubtedly has.

“When somebody comes up to you and says, ‘You saved my child’s life,’ or ‘You helped my family more than you’ll ever know’ or ‘This is the first time somebody finally understood what I’m going through and I’m going to get help,’ that’s what life’s about,” Olson said. “That’s what this honor’s about.”

MSHS Principal Jonathan Young said there’s a significance to recognizing excellence.

“It’s important for us to have those opportunities to do that,” Young said.

Carolyn McDonald, MAPS Education Foundation Selection Committee chairwoman, said: “The Pendill Wall is a great reminder to the students of the people that have come before them, and maybe we’ll inspire some of them to be on this wall someday.”

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.