Globe: Wally Lundt, an Iconic Clayton Coach, Has Died

An iconic coach for water polo and swimming has died, the CHS Globe reported this week.

Wally Lundt began teaching at the school in 1957. Quoting from the Globe article by Jonathan Shumway:

"He really cared about all of us and even when he was sick this last fall, he still tried to make every practice he could.  He loved the pool and coaching."

(Read the complete Wally Lundt memorial article on the Globe website.)

Lundt envisioned and helped found St. Louis' first Water Polo High School League in 1960 along with coaches from Ladue and University City, a history written by him and posted to the Missouri Water Polo website states.

The coach "felt that swimmers needed a fall team sport as a conditioning activity to precede the winter swimming season." During his tenure, took home numerous district championship titles.

Earlier this year, several CHS alumni expressed interest in having the renamed after Lundt, the Globe reported. At the time, Clayton officials indicated that renaming generally requires a financial contribution and that Lundt had been recognized in other ways, such as having plaques hung in his honor at the aquatic center and .

Lundt joined the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2004, the organization's website states. A Washington University graduate, he held a bachelor's in physical education and a master's in health, physical education and recreation. He served in the U.S. Maritime Service and the U.S. Marine Corps during the late 1940s.

He and his wife, Ann Brown Lundt, had three children—Laurie, Robert and James—and six grandchildren at the time of his induction, the website states.

A post on the Facebook page CHS Athletics paid tribute to Lundt.

"Clayton has lost a great man, friend and coach, Wally Lundt. Lundt has coached at Clayton for over 50 years. Thank you for all you have given us Coach Lundt. Details to come on ways we can help remember Coach Lundt."

An online St. Louis Post-Dispatch forum about 2012 water polo included several comments about Lundt's legacy.

"He was a great mentor to many, and a great friend to even more," one commenter stated just after noon Wednesday. "Keep his family in your prayers and thoughts as we head into the new year."

Another wrote: "Not only a great coach but an honorable man who had a big and positive influence on my life."

Among the Clayton-related accomplishments listed in his Hall of Fame entry:

• Clayton Water Sports Center manager (1952 to present)
• CHS teacher (1957-92)
• Water polo coach at CHS  (1960-91)