BILLINGS, Mont. – Jay Shaw, a legendary gymnastics coach and beloved Yellowjacket professor, passed away on July 15, 2024, at the age of 78. Shaw was the head gymnastics coach at MSUB for 24 years (1966-1990) and was also an assistant and associate professor in the Health & Human Performance department over 42 years (1972-2014).
 
"I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Shaw Family on Jay's passing," said MSUB Director of Athletics Michael Bazemore. "My introduction to Jay was through my graduate program at MSUB where I had him as an instructor. I was unaware of his athletic accomplishments at the time, but quickly learned of such when I joined the department as a staff member. Jay's legacy speaks for itself given his countless years of service as a coach and instructor; his impact on our institution and community is truly felt."
 
Following retirement, Jay and his family resided in Billings, a community that he and his wife Susan truly loved. Jay and Susan had five children and were blessed with eight grandchildren.
 
Coach Shaw was inducted into MSUB's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995, and in 2015, he was presented a bronze bust right outside the doors of Alterowitz Gymnasium where it still sits today. Shaw's coaching resume is one of the most impressive in gymnastics history. The two-time NAIA National Gymnastics Coach of the Year guided his varsity team to eight different championship meets while hosting two of them. In his 24 years at the helm, Shaw coached 34 All-Americans and his student-athletes qualified for 16 different national championships.
 
As a faculty member, Shaw taught a variety of classes including First Aid and CPR, Outdoor Education, and Adventure Education. During his tenure, he developed a new major for the department: Outdoor Adventure Leadership. Just as his coaching career played out, Jay was no stranger to collecting accolades. He received the Faculty Meritorious Award (2002 and 2005), the Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching (1994), the Outstanding Teaching Award (1984) and was named Professor Emeritus of Health and Human Performance upon his retirement.
 
Although Jay's name will be forever etched into Yellowjacket history books, his impact on the Billings community will live on forever, too. Jay was on the board for the American Red Cross and received the American Red Cross Outstanding Achievement and Service Award in 1990. Jay and Susan were also members of their church choir at Faith Chapel.
 
Jay's resume and accolades may give off the impression that he was always busy with work, but to no surprise, one of his many talents included being an outstanding father and grandfather. Jay, Susan and their kids loved to travel to their cabin in Nye and visit family in Priest Lake, Idaho. He was a talented woodworker who crafted a cradle for his first grandchild and would constantly work on projects around the house.
 
As the entire Yellowjacket and Billings community are saddened to hear of Jay's passing, his exceptional spirit, drive, and determination will be something that people will look up to forever. His bronze bust and Hall of Fame plaque will forever be in the lobby of the PE Building, just outside of Alterowitz Gym and a few steps away from a rich gymnastics trophy case just as he left it.