After 43 years of dedicating his life to his athletes, both on and off the field, Hazleton Area Track & Field Coach Lou Gunderman faces replacement by the Hazleton Area SchoolDistrict Board of Education. 

The impact that this one man has had-not only on the sport that he loves, but on the lives of his athletes, their families, the school, and surrounding communities-is immeasurable. It is the goal of this petition to call on the HASD Board of Education to retain Coach Lou Gunderman as Hazleton Area Boys head Track & Field coach.

Throughout his coaching tenure, Coach Gunderman has worked with thousands of
student-athletes. It did not matter if you were the best athlete on the team or the worst, Coach
welcomed, accepted, and valued you. He made everyone feel as they were special and the most
important member of the team.

Coach has always stressed the importance of putting family and education before all else.
The values of hard work, respect, accountability, and perseverance are life lessons that have
translated well beyond high school athletics. These teachings are what many of his now-adult
athletes testify has got them through some of the most challenging times in their professional and
personal lives.

It is because of these reasons and countless others that we, the undersigned, as supporters
of Coach Lou Gunderman, petition for the HASD Board to retain this man, who has been an
outstanding public figure, role model, and mentor to student-athletes, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and family as head coach of the Hazleton Area Boys Track & Field Team. Coach Gunderman truly embodies what it means to have Cougar Pride!