John’s Journal: Lundeen Honored By American Football Coaches Association
53-Year Becker Coach Receives Midwest Power Of Influence Award
Posted: Thursday, December 8, 2022 - 2:10 PM
Dwight Lundeen started the Becker football program in 1970 and has never left.
Five of the best high school head coaches in the nation highlight the announcement of the 2022 AFCA Regional Power of Influence Award winners. This award is given jointly by the American Football Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Foundation. The winners will be honored during the 2023 AFCA Convention, which will be held on January 8-10, 2023.
This is the fourth year that the AFCA has recognized regional winners for the Power of Influence Award. The award was created as a way for the AFCA and AFCF to honor deserving high school football coaches. Coaches who receive this award are recognized for their impact on their team, as well as the legacy they leave with the school and surrounding community. This award is not based on wins and losses; however, it should be noted that coaches of powerful influence have longevity and success. The winners are selected by members of the AFCF Board of Directors.
In Region 3 (Midwest), Dwight Lundeen of Becker High School has been named the Power of Influence Award winner.
Lundeen started the Becker High School football team in 1970 and has never left. In his 53 years as head coach, Lundeen has amassed an overall record of 390-166-3 with three state championships, 19 section titles and 24 conference championships. He has served as president and on the executive committee of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association, the Minnesota Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association, and the Minnesota State High School League. Lundeen has been inducted into the National Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2019), Minnesota Activities Directors Hall of Fame (2014), Minnesota High School League Hall of Fame (2014) and the Minnesota Football Coaches Hall of Fame (2009). He is a four-time Minnesota Football Coach of the Year and was named Minnesota Football Coaches Association Man of the Year in 2015.
Other 2022 AFCA/AFCF Regional Power of Influence Award winners are:
Region 1: Jim Kelliher, Abington (Mass.) High School
Region 2: Rodney Saulsberry Sr., Whitehaven (Tenn.) High School
Region 4: John King, Longview (Tex.) High School
Region 5: Todd Sloat, Fall River (Calif.) High School
--MSHSL media specialist John Millea has been the leading voice of Minnesota high school activities for decades. Follow him on Twitter @MSHSLjohn and listen to "Preps Today with John Millea” wherever you get podcasts. Contact John at [email protected]
