EDITOR’S NOTE: The following story was first published in Washington State Magazine/Washington State University, and submitted to The B-Town Blog by the Highline High School Alumni Foundation:
Edward Niehl, a celebrated former athlete from Highline High School who recently turned 101 years old(!), will soon be inducted into the Highline High School Alumni Foundation’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Niehl, who celebrated his 101st birthday on March 5, 2025, enjoyed a distinguished athletic career at Highline, then later at Washington State College (now Washington State University).
His passion for athletics led to a long career in education, spanning roles from coaching to administration in the Bethel School District in Spanaway.
“I enjoy watching kids play, but many times I think parents push kids too hard,” Niehl told Bethel’s Brave Talk in March 2001. “I hear so much talk about kids not learning enough, but they know so many more things than we knew at that age. Elementary students should be playing instead of being bogged down with homework. That is where the real lessons are learned.”
Highlights from Niehl’s coaching career include guiding a Bethel High football team to an undefeated, unscored-upon season in 1955, and coaching another team to the state’s number one ranking in 1958. Niehl’s contributions were recognized when the Bethel High School gymnasium was dedicated in his honor in 1981.
Born in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, in 1924, Niehl grew up in Burien, excelling in varsity football, basketball, and track and field at Highline High School. He left school early to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1945. Afterward, he continued his athletic career playing football at Washington State, until a back injury in his senior year ended his competitive playing days.
Niehl married his wife, Edith, in 1949 and had two sons: Bob Niehl (WSU ’75 Phys. Ed., ’83 MS Phys. Ed.) and David Niehl (WSU ’78 Phys. Ed.). Both played basketball for the Cougs. Bob Niehl also competed in the high jump on the WSU track team.
Daughter-in-law Trish (Nagel) Niehl (WSU ’79, ’80 MA Speech & Hearing Sci.) grew up in Pullman, where her dad, the late Charles “Chas” W. Nagel, taught food science and viticulture.
Niehl and his wife, Edith, lived in a refurbished boxcar in Pullman.
Today, at 101, Niehl remains active and engaged.
To learn more about the Highline High School Alumni Foundation, visit their website at hhsaf.org.
Featured photo of Ed Niehl courtesy Washington State Magazine/Washington State University.
