Ellis, retiring after 27-years at Pasadena Poly, stood for everything that's good about high school athletics

"Is it going to be a hard adjustment? You bet," said Ellis, who taught in Pasadena area schools for 45 years. "I'm going to miss all the great people that have been here with me for many years. And the kids ... how can you not miss the kids? That's what this has all been about."

All of Ellis' children graduated from Poly, something he wishes more students had the opportunity to experience.

"I'm blown away at the opportunity here, both in academics and athletics," Ellis said. "We see the progression of kids from kindergarten through 12th grade, and if you want to participate in sports, you're going to have your chance because we don't cut anyone.

"Athletics provides values you can't get any other way. You don't have to be the best player on the team. For some, just being on the team creates that lifetime experience that creates a well-rounded student."

Before coming to Poly, Ellis was a teacher in the Pasadena Unified School District from 1962-80, teaching fourth through seventh grades. He joined Poly's staff in 1980 and became the school's athletic director in 1981.

"I know I'm going to miss the daily decision making that people count on you for," Ellis said. "When you retire, nobody really cares what you do or if you do anything.

"But everything with me is family. I've been blessed with a marvelous family of children who are all married, educated, and have solid positions in society. I feel good about what they're doing, so I'm ready to move on and enjoy that next phase of life."

During Ellis' tenure, Poly was one of the winningest small schools in the CIF-Southern Section.

More importantly, his teaching methods exemplified what a student-athlete should be.

"I have all the respect in the world for Chuck," longtime Rio Hondo Prep athletic director Ken Drain said. "What's CIF's motto? 'Winning with honor.' That's Chuck Ellis."

South Pasadena athletic director Ralph Punaro shared those sentiments.

"He loved what he was doing. You saw it on his face and in his body language," Punaro said. "And he would always compliment our teams, and our kids appreciated that and admired him."

In his early years, Ellis had a remarkable run as the Panthers' girls basketball coach, winning a CIF Division V-AA title in 1992 and advancing to CIF championship games in 1991, '93 and '95.

He coached the girls basketball team for 17 years, and earned two Star-News Coach of the Year honors.

"You remember those teams like it was yesterday," Ellis said. "In 1984, my third year of coaching, we were in the Sports Arena playing Army-Navy in the state regional finals with a chance to go to Oakland for the state finals.

"In the fourth quarter we broke it open, and I looked at (assistant) Brad (Hall) on the bench and we started waving our arms like we were flying. We knew we were going to Oakland. It was a special moment."

Ellis also coached girls volleyball for 11 years. He coached softball from 1983-2004, winning 21 consecutive Prep League titles before retiring from coaching.

Young coaches could learn a lot from Ellis, who shared some of his secrets.

On team camaraderie: "You want your team to learn how to win, how to lose, and how to respect their opponents and teammates. As teammates, they might not always be friends, or hang out after practice, but once you're teammates, you should have respect for one another."

On athletic success: "Stability. We've been fortunate at Poly in that we have coaches who have been with our programs for many years. When you have stability, you have a program that builds."

On what he looks for in a coach: "Three things. First, do you know the sport? Because in this day of specialization, if you don't know your sport, a kid is going to blow you off real quick.

"Second, can you organize a practice for two hours and keep that team's attention for two hours?

"And third, and you don't know this until after you hire them, is how do you handle yourself under pressure?"

Ellis said he has never advocated the in-your-face mentality used by some coaches.

"Don't embarrass kids," he said. "If they make a mistake, they know they've made a mistake."

Ellis leaves an impeccable legacy in sports and in sportsmanship. He hopes the values he tried to teach others will be carried on by those who follow.