William Schutte

Bio

William Henry Schutte was born in Galveston, Texas on May 7, 1910. He was the namesake son of William Henry Schutte and wife Anna Meta Hollmann. William Jr. had three sisters (Adeline, Dorothy, and Ellan) and a brother George. William Sr. worked as a plumber.

The family moved to San Diego, CA. in 1924 when young William was 14. Bill graduated from San Diego High School in 1929. Later in life (1982) he was interviewed about his remembrances of his life experiences (Sports at San Diego High School).

Bill Schutte went on to college at the University of Idaho where he played football. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Education. He returned to San Diego where he found employment as a custodian at San Diego High School during depression times until a teaching job was offered to him at the school in 1935.

He taught at San Diego High until he left to be Assistant Football Coach at Kansas State College. Then came WW II and Bill joined the Navy in 1941. He served in the South Pacific until early 1945. He was Lieutenant Commander.

Bill was first appointed to a faculty position at San Diego State in 1947. He was Assistant Professor and Head Football Coach. He served as Head Coach for 9 years until 1956 when Paul Governali took over as Head Coach. His Head Coaching highlights included a winning record (48W-36L-4T) and bowl games in 1948 and 1951. “Bill Schutte Era” as Coach is highlighted on the SDSU Aztec website.

Bill Schutte continued his teaching career in Physical Education and also served as Department Chair of Physical Education for Men between 1964 and 1969. During his career, he was promoted twice, finally to the rank of Professor.

Bill married Lucille E. Daney in 1962. He was age 52 and Lucille was age 43.

Bill retired from San Diego State in 1975. He had already lost his wife Lucille, who passed away at age 54 in 1973. Bill lived until age 84. At the time of his death in 1994 he lived in Orange County, CA.

In 1994, Bill was elected to the San Diego State Aztec Hall of Fame for his accomplishments at SDSU.

A Coach Bill Schutte Memorial Scholarship Award was established at SDSU in his memory.

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