Guess who's back? Rousey's back

PALMER -- Norm Rousey has had an impressive history with Palmer High School. As a student-athlete, Rousey was a state champion in cross-country running and won a state championship on the Palmer hockey team. As a Palmer head coach he has mentored state champions in cross-country running and track and field, and served as an assistant on the Moose hockey coaching staff.

After a year hiatus from his alma matter, and running an athletic consultation business in California, Rousey is back in the Valley, and back in blue. Late last week Rousey was named the head coach of the Palmer hockey program. Rousey replaces Brian Fish, who stepped down from the position during the spring to devote more time to his family.

After spending the summer back in Alaska, Rousey was ready to return to California before the beginning of the school year. A series of events, that began with an opportunity to go after a teaching position at Palmer High, made Rousey re-think his plans.

"This wasn't even an option until about three weeks ago. I was heading back to California," Rousey said. "I caught wind of the position and got excited."

Rousey heard about an opening for a physical education teacher at PHS and once he secured that position, he applied for the head hockey job.

Rousey, a four-year member of the Palmer hockey squad and an assistant coach for three seasons, said what excites him most about the new position is the opportunity to teach and coach full-time in the same building.

"I have never taught and coached in the same building," Rousey said.

Palmer High activities director Brandon Blake said he was thrilled to find a candidate within the building with Rousey's experience.

"We definitely wanted to get him back, first as a teacher," Blake said. "We knew coaching would take care of itself."