Summary

Throughout his career with the Kent School District, Lutes has been a dedicated teacher, assistant principal, and coach, impacting countless student lives along the way.

Story

In honor of Dave Lutes’ retirement from the Kent School District after 42 years of service, Metropolitan King County CouncilmembersReagan Dunn,Dave Upthegrove, and Pete Von Reichbauer are declaring Friday, June 7, 2019, as Dave Lutes Day.

“Those who have known Dave know him to be man with a true heart for the game and the student athletes he served,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “I’ve appreciated working with him throughout his many years with the Kent School District and I wish him well on his next chapter of life.”

Throughout his career with the Kent School District, Lutes has been a dedicated teacher, assistant principal, and coach, impacting countless student lives along the way. During his time at Kentwood High School, he led a football program that was known to be one of the best in Washington State, with a record of 81-20 in his nine years as coach.

“Our schools and communities are so much better off with dedicated public servants like Dave Lutes,” said King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove. “We wish him the best in his retirement and thank him for the legacy he leaves with all the kids he impacted over his 42 years of service in the Kent School District.”

In 1990, he transitioned from coaching to administration, becoming the Kent School District’s second ever Director of Athletics. He served in this role for 29 years.

“I feel strongly that sports are a major part of the education system, and I commend Dave Lutes for committing himself for 42 years to the Kent School district,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “Sports play a critical role in the development of students, and more often than not the lessons learned on high school fields come back to help us later on in life.”

Prior to his almost three decades as Director of Athletics, Lutes was a traffic safety instructor and assistant football and basketball coach at Kentridge High School. He went on to become Kentwood’s first athletic director and football coach in 1981.

Throughout his time with the Kent School District, Lutes has received numerous awards and honors for his excellence as a coach and administrator, the most notable being the National Citation Award for Exemplary Service to Athletic Administration.

Dave Lutes holds the proclamation from the Council declaring June 7 as "Dave Lutes Day" (l-r) Amy Erickson, Dave Lutes, and Holly Potts with the Kent School District

WHEREAS Dave Lutes has been a dedicated teacher, coach, and assistant principal throughout his 42 years with the Kent School District; and

WHEREAS he has served as Director of Athletics with the Kent School District for 29 years; and

WHEREAS Dave began his athletics career as a star quarterback at Mount Rainer High School in Des Moines, from which he graduated in 1971; and

WHEREAS he lettered in football at the University of Washington, where he was a student assistant to Don James, head coach of the Washington Huskies; and

WHEREAS Dave served as a traffic safety instructor and assistant football and basketball coach at Kentridge High School, before becoming Kentwood’s first athletic director and football coach in 1981; and

WHEREAS he led a football program at Kentwood High School that was known to be one of the best in Washington State, with a record of 81-20 in his nine years as coach; and

WHEREAS in 1990, Dave resigned from coaching to work in athletics at the district level, becoming Kent School District’s second athletic director; and

WHEREAS throughout Dave’s career, he has attracted wide recognition for his excellence as a coach and administrator, including the high honor of the National Citation Award for Exemplary Service to Athletic Administration; and

WHEREAS on June 7, 2019, Dave is retiring as Director of Athletics at Kent School District; and

WHEREAS he leaves behind a legacy of integrity, warmth of spirit, and dedication to the game and players;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, King County Councilmember Pete Von Reichbauer, and King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, proclaim June 7, 2019 as

in King County, formally recognizing Dave’s significant contributions to the Kent School District

DATED this 7th day of June, 2019