On Sept. 15, 2024, longtime track and cross country coach Donald Lukens passed away at the age of 90. For almost 30 years, Donald Lukens was the head of the Loy Norrix track and cross country programs. During his years at the helm, Lukens led the programs to incredible success, winning numerous conference and regional titles, and even earning two second place finishes at the MHSAA state championships.
After 27 years coaching Lukens retired and moved north to Benzie County. However, he didn’t stay in retirement for long. Lukens returned to coaching and wound up at Traverse City Central High School where he continued to experience success. His cross country programs went on an incredible run, with his athletes qualifying for the MHSAA state finals for 16 consecutive years.
Lukens did incredible work at every school that he coached at, but he also left a profound impact on his fellow coaches and his athletes. During this year’s Don Lukens Invitational, hosted at Norrix, current head coach Ted Duckett and athletic director Andrew Laboe spoke about Lukens’ impact.
“Beyond his coaching accolades, Lukens was renowned for his mentorship, recruiting athletes from challenging backgrounds and guiding them to collegiate opportunities,” Laboe read from an MHSAA article.
At the team practice the day before the meet, Duckett went in-depth about Lukens and his importance to the Norrix track program. Duckett fondly recalled the success that the program experienced, emphasizing the importance of carrying on Luken’s legacy by focusing on the way the team trains and behaves.
To honor their former coach and colleague, 19 of Lukens’ former athletes and coaching partners attended this year’s invitational. They assembled on the football field, near the 50 yard line, and bowed their heads in a moment of silence for their friend, coach and colleague. During the meet, the LN teams lived up to their former coach’s legacy, placing fourth on the women’s side and second on the men’s side at this very competitive meet.
Lukens left a lasting legacy. His memory lives on through the Don Lukens Invitational and the impact that he left on his runners and fellow coaches.
