Longtime assistant Blake VanDalen has been named the new head coach of the Lynden High School football team. VanDalen takes over for Hall of Famer Curt Kramme, who passed away last month.
VanDalen, a physical education teacher at Lynden High School, has been an assistant under Kramme for 20 years. He has served as the Lions defensive coordinator for the past 8 seasons.
VanDalen told KPUG he’s been using the word “bittersweet” to describe his feelings on taking over the program. “The reason I went into it and wanted to do it was to honor coach Kramme and all that he has done and poured into so many kids…poured into my life. I just wanted to represent Lynden and him well through this process.”
Lynden went 11-and-2 last season, before falling to the eventual state champion Archbishop Murphy Wildcats in the 2A state semifinals.
According to whatcomcountyfootball.com, VanDalen is a 1990 graduate of Lynden High. He was named All-League 2nd Team at defensive back his senior season.
Kramme was inducted into the Washington State Coaches Association Football Hall of Fame January 28th. He compiled a record of 248-and-61, winning 7 state championships over 26 seasons at Lynden.
(KPUG – Doug Lange)
