Wally Palmberg

When author Thomas Wolfe wrote, "You Can't Go Home Again," you can bet he had not met Wally Palmberg! Palmberg, arguably the best known basketball personality in Astoria history, was the spark that led John Warren's 1931 and 1933 AHS teams to state titles. After three seasons and All-American honors under legendary Slats Gill at Oregon State University, Palmberg returned to Astoria as a coach and educator, guiding the 1941 and 1942 teams to state championship trophies.

In 1939, after compiling records of 29-11, 30-9 and 25-14 in his three years as coach at Astoria, George Emigh felt the heat of not going to the state tournament for the first time in 13 years and off to Portland's Franklin High School he went. Although Palmberg had not finished his course work at OSU, the job at Astoria was his, and the school held the position until Palmberg rushed to complete his college obligations. Palmberg's coaching job was again being held for him and he guided the Fishermen two more seasons before moving on to other endeavors.

If winning state titles in 1941 and 1942 were highlights of his coaching career, then Palmberg's biggest disappointment while at the Fishermen helm, had to come after his Fishermen defeated Salem, 32-25 in the opening round of the 1943 state tournament. Astoria, coming off back-to-back state titles, entered the tournament as the odds on favorite to take home its third consecutive 1st place trophy. After all, Astoria rolled into Salem 18-0, packing a 29 game win streak, and loaded with talent. Two members of that team would start at Oregon State as freshmen. Astoria defeated Salem, 32-25 in the first round. That evening Palmberg gathered his troops and broke the bad news to them. He would be reporting to the Navy in the morning, and the Fishermen would have to continue without him.

Astoria lost to Baker 29-24 and Pendleton 38-34 in its next two games without Palmberg sitting at the head of the bench.

Palmberg would return to coaching in the mid-1950's, this time at the college level as the head man at Oregon Institute of Technology.

Palmberg's Klamath Falls squads won three Oregon Collegiate Conference titles: 1957,1958, and 1961. Jerry Fasteen and John McCutcheon were just two of the may outstanding players to be tutored by the Astoria native.

When his coaching career ended, Palmberg earned his administration credentials and was a dean at Pendleton's Blue Mountain Community College, before becoming President of Central Wyoming College, a two year institution in Riverton.

His book, Under One Flag, a history of Lower Columbia sports, is considered one of the best of its kind in the entire country.