Tim's Legacy
Tim Gilbert was more than an extraordinary athlete - he was a humble, kind, and passionate man whose legacy still echoes across the track at Northwest Nazarene University.
During his senior year of high school, Tim was one of the most versatile athletes in Idaho. He competed, and won, in nearly every event: the 100, 220, 440, mile relay, long jump, high hurdles, triple jump, and intermediate hurdles. No one in the state collected more first-place finishes.
When Tim signed with NNC, Coach Paul Taylor said he would let Tim choose his events because “he can help us a lot of places.” Tim chose the 440 intermediate hurdles, even though the school only had two of the 10 hurdles with which to train. NNC borrowed a full set of hurdles from Nampa High School when hosting track meets. Tim made the most of the limited equipment provided, qualifying for the outdoor national championships multiple years and placing second at the 1977 NAIA Outdoor Nationals - NNC’s highest finish ever at that time. His school record of 52.05 still stands, nearly 50 years later.
In the spring of 2019, Tim was diagnosed with Cortical Basal Degeneration (CBD), a rare neurodegenerative disorder that falls under the category of atypical parkinsonian syndromes. CBD is characterized by the gradual degeneration of specific areas of the brain, particularly the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. The atrophy of the brain slowly took away his abilities to move independently, speak, and eventually swallow. Tim crossed his final earthly hurdle on October 9, 2024.
On November 13, 2021, Tim was inducted into the NNU Hall of Fame. He called it the best day of his life.
The Project
This past spring, the NNU track & field team shared a list of needed equipment with alumni and supporters. Among the items was a new set of hurdles, as the current set was purchased around 1999, prior to the school's move to NCAA Division II.
Upon hearing of the need, Robin Gilbert (Tim's wife) reached out to NNU with the desire to help with the purchase of the new hurdles. What may come as a surprise to people that aren't as connected with the ins and outs of track & field, a complete set includes a total of 85 hurdles, with the total cost adding up to approximately $50,000.
Robin graciously decided to seed this project with the first $15,000, and is now inviting others to help raise the remaining $35,000. The goal is to have the new hurdles in place by the time NNU hosts the GNAC Outdoor Championships meet in the spring of 2027.
In Tim's Honor
Tim chose to go to Northwest Nazarene over a larger school known for its party scene, because he knew his decision would affect his future trajectory. He always believed that NNU is focused on the transformation of the student “For the Good”.
Tim also loved volunteering to help athletes develop their skills – supporting the NNU track team and friends and family with triple jump or hurdle training.
He really enjoyed the ‘team’ aspect of his time at NNU, and that carried on to the rest of his life in multiple ways. He was such an encourager and was quick to celebrate the successes of others. His favorite cheer, which he would lead his ‘Delay the Disease’ class with, was “Go Big Team!”
Join Us
This project is more than just equipment. It’s a tribute to a man who gave his all, a gift to future athletes, and a symbol of the enduring spirit of excellence and humility that Tim embodied.
Help us finish the race and raise the remaining $35,000. Let’s invest in the next generation of athletes. Let’s give them the tools to train, grow, and run their own race with purpose - not just on the track, but in life and faith.
Please consider a gift in Tim's honor as we work together to raise the funds for the new set of hurdles!
