James “Mush” Torson (1907 – 1986) was a coach who achieved coaching success in both the high school and college ranks in Oregon. He stands out as having brought the University of Portland basketball program to national prominence.
Born in 1907 in Berkeley, CA, Torson played baseball and basketball at Oregon Agricultural College (Oregon State) under legendary coaches Ralph Coleman in baseball and Stats Gill in basketball. He compiled a .444 batting average in baseball. After three seasons in each sport, he graduated in 1931. Shortly thereafter, he became a teacher and coach at Corvallis High.
In 1932, Torson took over as head coach in football, basketball and baseball. The football team experienced moderate success with a 15-15-2 record in five seasons, but the basketball team won the large-school state title in 1936. Oregon did not have a state baseball championship until 1946.
Torson moved to Portland’s Grant High School in 1937 then during World War II coached all three major sports and led the school’s undefeated football team to the state title in 1945.
Following the war, the University of Portland hired him as its basketball coach. He also coached baseball for three seasons, 1947-49. Under Torson, the Pilots experienced significant success and helped their supporters overcome the disappointment that followed the school dropping its football program in 1950. In eight seasons, the Pilots won 20 games four times and qualified for the NAIA playoffs (NAIB prior to 1953) six times. In 1952, Portland reached the 16-team national tournament, played in Kansas City, Mo., and advanced to the semifinals.
Torson stepped down as coach following the 1953-54 season having compiled a 144-110 record. Torson and his wife Velva raised three sons, including one, Jim, who was an All-City, All-State athlete at Grant and later played basketball at Portland under his father.
Mush Torson is a member of the Grant HS Athletic Hall of Fame, the PIL Hall of Fame