Former West High coach inducted into Softball Hall

 WATERLOO –   Former Waterloo West High School coach Gaylen Tann has been inducted into the Softball Coaches Hall of Fame, according to an announcement from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Tann served as the head varsity softball coach at West for 24 seasons, amassing 608 wins during his time.Tann began his coaching career as a baseball coach at Waterloo Central High School, before switching over to West to coach soft­ball. During his time with West, the softball team played in nine regional finals and beat Garnavillo 2-1 in a record-setting 31-inning game on July 12, 1986. During his time as a coach, Tann also led the girls' varsity basketball and volleyball teams at West and the girls' varsity basketball team at Columbus High School at different times. He retired from coaching in 2000.Tann was previously named the District Coach of the Year. He coached the 1997 All Star team that played in the Iowa-Minnesota-Wisconsin challenge.Tann continues his 38-year commitment to the Waterloo Schools as a teacher with the district. For the past 10 years, Tann has served as the manager of Lost Island Waterpark during the summers, where he has the opportunity  to interact with many of his former stu­dents.