William Hedlund; Math Teacher, Former Coach

William D. Hedlund, a math teacher at Crespi Carmelite High School for 25 years and former varsity basketball coach, has died. He was 54.

Described by colleagues as physically fit, Hedlund died Thursday of a massive heart attack while jogging in the high school field, as he did every morning, according to Richard Fong, Crespi athletic director, who added that an autopsy report revealed hardening of the arteries.

Born April 10, 1943, in Minneapolis, Hedlund grew up in Arcadia. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach. He began his teaching career at Crespi 27 years ago, but took two years off to live with his father in San Diego.

Colleagues regarded Hedlund as a great coach and pioneer in Crespi basketball history. He set Crespi varsity basketball records as coach in 1974 and 1975, when he led the high school to two consecutive championships--winning Crespi its first Del Rey League title the first year, and ranking the school No. 1 in the Valley the second year.

One of the players he coached went on to the NBA--Paul Mokeski, formerly of the Milwaukee Bucks and two-time Del Rey League MVP.

“Coach Hedlund was a big part of my life, both on and off the basketball court,” Mokeski said in a press statement.

Hedlund made records in the classroom as well, with no absences in 4,700 consecutive teaching days.

Former students remember him as a dedicated, concerned teacher who combined a trademark sense of humor with unconventional peer and interactive teaching methods, turning boring subjects into lively ones. He updated his skills during breaks from June to September, taking math and teaching courses at local colleges.

“The hardest thing of all will be that he was one of our best and most conscientious teachers--he spent a lot of time with the kids,” said Father Fred Tillotson, Crespi principal and president.

“One student told me, ‘With Mr. Hedlund, if we got a bad grade, we knew it was our fault because he spent so much time trying to help us.’ ”

The Crespi varsity basketball team will dedicate its season to Hedlund by wearing black bands on the sleeves of their brown, gold and white uniforms. For many recent years, the former coach worked the scoreboard at varsity games.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5011 White Oak Ave., Encino.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bill Hedlund Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of Crespi Carmelite High School, 5031 Alonzo Ave., Encino 91316.

Hedlund is survived by his father, Arvid Hedlund of San Diego, and his sister, Patricia Fisher of Maryland.