Dwight Lundeen became just the seventh coach since 1996 to be voted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall-of-Fame. The achievement was honored at a NHSACA banquet June 25 in Bismarck, ND.

 

The achievement is presented to coaches recognized for their accomplishments in coaching, contributing to their schools, communities and states, their years of service to high school sports and their unselfish commitment to today’s young athletes.

 

In a letter written to Lundeen by NHSACA Executive Director Dave Dougherty, he was quoted as saying, “During your career, you have become a part of the lives of your athletes and have been instrumental in shaping their lives. You have taught them how to achieve excellence, how to overcome adversity, how to set goals and how to be a part of a team and help others.”

 

“You are a role model they can look up to and learn from and we at the NHSACA recognize, honor and thank you for this,” it continued.

Lundeen is heading into his 50th year as Becker High School head coach. He began the program in 1970 and has been the sole coach for football ever since. His record of 359 wins, 156 losses and three ties places him third in the state of Minnesota for wins.

 

Lundeen’s teams have captured 22 conference championships, 17 section championships, two district championships and have appeared in eight Prep Bowl games. His team’s have finished second place five times and have won the state title three times.

 

Lundeen has been recognized for his coaching accomplishments as well as his leadership in the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA). He was named president of the MFCA in 1991-92 and was inducted into the MFCA hall-of-fame in 2009.  He also won the Power of Influence award that year and was named the Minnesota Vikings high school coach of the year in 2012. In 2014, he was named Minnesota football coach of the year and in 2015, the MFCA man of the year.

 

In addition to football, Lundeen has taken an active role promoting all high school activities and has been recognized for his commitment to Becker when he was elected president of the Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors in 1998-99. He was also elected to the Minnesota Activities Directors HOF in 2014 and the MSHSL HOF in 2017.

 

While records and awards are appreciated, Lundeen is quick to note that they are not the goal of his coaching career.

 

“Winning is always a goal but my purpose, and the purpose of all high school activities, is to help students become good spouses, good parents, good employees, productive community members and people of integrity,” Lundeen said.

 

Being named to the NHSACA HOF is a humbling honor. Thank you.”

 

Lowell Scearcy, Brainerd’s head baseball coach, was another Minnesotan besides Lundeen inducted in the NHSACA HOF in a group of 38 coaches from across the country.