For many years, when the "Friday night lights" came on in La Porte, Coach Carroll Lundin was in charge on the sidelines. The retired La Porte ISD head football coach and athletic director-who devoted 45 years of his life to education-was recognized for the impact he had on thousands of student athletes as he was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor on July 21.
The ceremony was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio, where Lundin was one of five named to the 2010 Class. The 51st annual luncheon was hosted by Balfour, recognizing Lundin and other Hall of Honor inductees Bob Ledbetter, Jack Tayrien, Roy Wallace and Tommy Watkins. State champion coaches were recognized and other special awards were presented during the ceremony.
Lundin, who joined the LPISD family in 1974, is quick to give credit to others for his success in the coaching profession.
"All of the support I received from the La Porte ISD Board, administration, coaches, players, their families and fans is the reason behind my having the opportunity to be inducted into the Hall of Honor," Lundin said.
In recognition of Lundin's achievements, La Porte ISD will hold a reception in his honor prior to the first football game of the 2010 season. The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 27 in the new Physical Education Center on the La Porte High School campus.
Former players, coaches and high school football fans are especially encouraged to attend. The Bulldogs will play Aldine Clements in a 7 p.m. game following the reception, with a presentation made to Lundin at halftime.
The public is invited. LPHS alumni who would like to add their names to the mailing list are asked to contact Todd Schoppe, director of athletics, at
schoppet@lpisd.org
or Terri Cook, director of public relations/Education Foundation, at
cookt@lpisd.org
.
An Austin native, Lundin was a letterman in three sports-football, basketball, and baseball--at Austin High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and his master's degree from Texas Southern University.
He began his coaching career in 1960 as an assistant in Bellville ISD. In 1965, he accepted the position of defensive coordinator at Austin Reagan High School and was part of three 5-A state championship teams in 1967, 1968, and 1970. In 1971, he became head football coach at Austin Reagan, where his teams were 32-6-1, posting three undefeated district championships and advancing to the quarterfinals and 1973 state finals.
In 1974, Lundin moved his family to La Porte, where he accepted the position as head football coach and athletic director. In his 14 years as head football coach, his teams won eight district championships or state playoff berths with a record of 107-47-1. His overall record in his 17-year coaching career was 139-53-2, with 11 district championships or state playoff berths.
His coaching honors include his induction into the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2004 and Coach of the Year for District 23-5A in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1987. He served on the Board of Directors of Texas High School Coaches Association and Region 5 from 1979 to 1982 and was assistant coach of the Texas High School All-Star South football team in 1969.
Lundin and his wife, Deborah, reside in La Porte. His children include daughter Deborah Aranda and her husband, Larry; son Lee Lundin and his wife, Jessica; and stepdaughter Ashley McCaleb. In addition, he has five grandchildren-Richard Lundin (deceased); Lee Lundin and wife Kimberly; Jennifer Aranda; Alexandra Lundin; and Dane Lundin-and great-granddaughter, Addison Lundin.
Lundin said he is proud to share this honor with Austin ISD, Reagan High School, La Porte ISD, La Porte High School, and all of the coaches and players with whom he was privileged to work during his coaching career.
To be considered for the Hall of Honor, inductees must have been active members of the Texas High School Coaches Association and must have contributed to the association and the coaching profession. Honorees are nominated by coaches, with the THSCA selection committee meeting each January.
For more information on the reception, contact the LPISD Communications Office at 281-604-7000.
