ATHLETE – Sheldon Jackson High School
Herb Didrickson was an outstanding high school athlete, excelling in basketball, cross-country and track during his tenure at Sheldon Jackson High School. He graduated from high school in 1946. Basketball was the sport that he was most widely known for. He was a team leader, demonstrating his ability to score and to make plays happen on the court. His speed and quickness was enhanced by his ball handling and dribbling skills. As a point guard, he played his position masterfully. During his high school career he was named to all star teams and earned MVP honors. One of his most coveted awards was the sportsmanship award. Herb exemplified the behaviors on and off the court of a true sportsman.
Herb attended Sheldon Jackson Junior College and continued to play basketball for many years beyond college. He has actively participated in his community and the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. As a result of his commitment to the community and his athletic contributions, he was named to the Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Hall of Fame. He retired from a 30-year career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In addition, a street in Sitka was named in his honor and Sheldon Jackson College named the gymnasium the “Herb Didrickson Gym”. He also was a vocational teacher in the Industrial Department of Mt. Edgecumbe High School. He coached and officiated basketball and sponsored many activities for young people. He married his high school sweetheart, Polly Ann Lott and has three children and many grand children.
