SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Even in retirement, honors and accolades continue to pile up for Shirley Chesterfield-Stanton. The longtime Helena Capital track and field coach will be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association hall of fame during an awards luncheon later this summer. The event is scheduled for June 26.
Chesterfield-Stanton spent 40 years coaching track and field at Helena Capital High School, 38 as a head coach in the program. She also served as a gymnastics and volleyball coach, earning a rare feat of state championships in multiple sports — gymnastics in 1987 and 1989, and track in field in 1996 and 1997. The Capital girls track programs also finished runner-up three times and were top four on five more occasions at the state meet. She led the Bruins to three Western AA divisional trophies and three second-place finishes.
In 13 seasons as a gymnastics mentor, Chesterfield-Stanton guided the program to the two state titles and two more runner-up finishes. Capital also added a pair of third-place trophies and two divisional titles under her tutelage.
Chesterfield-Stanton was inducted into the Montana Coaches Association hall of fame in 2002 and the Helena Sports hall of fame in 2009. She was twice named the MCA track and field coach of the year, while garnering seven total nominations for the honor. The MCA also tabbed her as a special sports coach of the year once during her gymnastics coaching career. She was also named Region 7 girls track and field coach of the year on two occasions while earning a Montana High School Association service award.
After spending 40 years as a track and field coach, 13 as a gymnastics mentor and five as a head volleyball coach, Chesterfield-Stanton retired in 2016. A former MCA board of directors member, she remains with the MCA as an awards chairman, and has served on numerous MHSA committees.
Chesterfield-Stanton grew up in Butte, starring in a variety of sports, before shining in track and field, gymnastics and volleyball at Montana State University from 1972 to 1976. She spent more than 30 years as the announcer at numerous Helena Capital athletics events, including football, volleyball and basketball. She also volunteered her time helping with cross country meets, and football, volleyball and basketball games.
The NHSACA hall of fame luncheon and celebration will be held at noon on Tuesday, June 26. Friends and family are invited to attend the event by clicking on the link provided below.
National High School Athletic Coaches Association hall of fame luncheon info
