Written by Katie Zhang
After 40 years as a physical education (P.E.) teacher and wrestling coach, Chris Horpel is retiring. Horpel decided to come back to stay at Gunn after teaching industrial arts and coaching at both UCLA and Stanford. His decision to come back to Gunn in 2003 led him to continue to teach P.E. and coach wrestling at Gunn for 14 years.
After retiring, Horpel is looking forward to relaxing and traveling to places that he did not have enough time for when he was teaching and coaching. “One objective is to travel a little more and go during slower times when other people are not traveling,” Horpel said. “First up is a trip to Uluwatu in Bali to try surfing at some of the famous breaks there. I wouldn’t mind moving to Maui for a few months each winter, if I can convince my wife to do this. [There are] lots of surfing and windsurfing spots there too.”
Although Horpel is sad about leaving his wrestling athletes and students, he is grateful for the experiences he has had with those he worked with. “I did not get to know my P.E. students as well as my athletes, but they have both been great kids,” Horpel said. “Most of them share a desire to be very good [at] what they do. I have been very lucky!”
Even though Horpel will be leaving at the end of this school year, there are messages that he wanted to pass on to both current and future Gunn students. “It has been my pleasure getting to work with such great kids,” Horpel said. “I love them all and will miss getting to know all the future Gunn students. Maybe I will come back and coach again if all my ‘fun in the sun’ does not do it for me.”
Ronald Tyrus • Jul 2, 2021 at 11:16 pm
Hello Chris. I met you as a lost student. I wrestled in high school but wasn’t a champion. I wrestled in the digarolomo 72 as a junior. I quit as a senior to ….debate. When I went to Stanford I wanted to work out. Saw you and Ken krebs battle. Everyone was cordial but I was a lost freshman at Stanford. I wrestled maybe one or two matches. I never won a title at any tournament. It was fun to do. Digarolomo was my year. Joe D was the coach. He let me train. I was too lost at Stanford to take full advantage. I wish I wish I had kept working out. I can’t remember the person I worked out with, but he was the kindest person. I wish I could remember his name. I think he died in a car accident. I wish I had stayed in. Stanford was a bit of a challenge. I would have flunked at any other college. Straight Cs for a couple of years. Felt like a failure. Recovered. Went to Med school in SF. Made a life. Will always remember working out with you, Kenny and coach. Was a pediatrician for years. Wish I could remember by Stanford work out partner. I heard he passed away way to soon in a car accident. Jimmy Tatarskis. He was a great instructor. I just lost the heart. You were an inspiration, but SU had so many attractions in 1973. Best wishes to you. Congratulations.