Candid closeup: Baldwin superintendent Dr. Randal Lutz reflects on high school basketball career

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 6, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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Dr. Randal Lutz, who has served as superintendent of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District since 2012, is a basketball aficionado with local roots.

Lutz was a member of the last two boys basketball teams that won section championships at Baldwin in 1985 and 1986. The Highlanders, who had eight players 6-foot-4 or taller in 1985 including the 6-7 Lutz, went 25-0 that season and played in the WPIAL finals against Latrobe at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House.

A Baldwin hoopster for three years, Lutz competed in basketball as a youth at St. Albert the Great. He also started playing baseball when he was 8 and continued through Pony League — all in the old North Baldwin Athletic Association.

Lutz has been a familiar face in the school district. Before assuming his current role, he served a middle school vice principal, principal, supervisor of curriculum and instruction, and assistant superintendent. Denise Sedlacek currently is assistant superintendent in the BWSD.

Lutz received his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Pitt, where he also completed his graduate studies with both a master of education degree and a doctor of education degree in educational administration. He serves on the board of directors for the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, and for ASSET STEM Education.

He resides in Baldwin Borough with his wife, Baldwin graduate and prom date Judy, and their two daughters, Carly and Jenna (both hoopsters). Carly, a 2016 Baldwin grad, is a freshman at Point Park; Jenna is a member of Baldwin's sophomore class.

Lutz recently took time from his busy schedule to participate in a candid close-up, question-and-answer feature:

What is your favorite sport?

To play, basketball. I understand the game better now than ever. The problem is that my knees no longer want to carry me up and down the court like when I was 18 and did not understand the game at all. To watch, baseball. Baseball is such a game of strategy. I love watching it, either with my full attention, or simply as a backdrop when working on other things.

What are some of your favorite high school memories? Favorite memories sports-wise?

Playing in front of thousands of Baldwin fans at Fitzgerald. Participating in the Brooks Classic in Las Vegas, (even though I was hurt, it was great). Playing against some great players from those days like Brian Shorter, Phil Nevin, Darelle Porter, Doug West and Mike Iuzzolino (the last two from Altoona and went on to the pros).

What was your favorite subject/class at Baldwin?

I loved math (all levels) and drafting. I thought I was going to be an architect.

Did you have a least favorite subject/class?

Computer. Those were the days of punchcards and mostly programming. They were not computer classes like today.

What was your GPA, class rank?

I do not remember my class rank but my GPA was 3.5. I was a good student, but not a great one. I really did not know what I wanted to do beyond high school. Once I went to college and had a few pre-student teaching experiences, I knew that I was hooked on education as a career. For students that think that they have to have everything figured out prior to leaving high school, that is not the case for everyone. Find your passion, because once you do, the rest is easy.

What extracurricular activities were you involved in at Baldwin?

Student council and senior class.

Who was the most influential person(s) in your academic career?

A retired principal (Nick Lapadda) from Bethel Park that I met when working part-time in college at Duffy's Pop and Beer. He convinced me to take a look at education as a career and provided some excellent guidance that has really paid off.

Did you have a favorite teacher in high school?

Mrs. (Ann) Lindner. She taught German, which I really did not like. However, I had her for home room for all three years while at Baldwin. She looked out for me, not only as a student but as a person. She cared and you knew it.

Who was the most influential person in your athletic career?

Teammates from the 1985 team that forced me to get to the gym for weight training and practice. They knew I could have been better than I was and wanted me to reach my potential.

Is there anything you would have changed in your high school career?

Not taking the game for granted. My senior year ended in hardship as I tore up my knee in the final scrimmage. I was unable to return by the end of the year and chose not to pursue basketball in college. The night I hurt my knee, Dec. 5, 1985, was the last time I pulled that Baldwin jersey on, never playing in another game after that. If I would have known that it was going to end so soon, I would have done things differently, prepared better, and worked harder. But I was a kid who thought he knew everything.

Do you have any hobbies?

Home improvement, coaching my own kids, and watching them play sports.

Are you a regular book reader? If so, what is the title of the last book you read?

I read many professional topics. The last book I read was called (the) “New Agenda,” about how to modernize the teaching profession.

What is your favorite all-time book?

This is probably silly, but “Matilda” by (British writer) Roald Dahl. When I was student teaching in 1989, it was the first book I read to students. I will never forget that experience. It was really not about the book, but how a book and reading to people can make you feel.

What is your favorite movie?

“Jurassic Park.”

What is the name of the last movie that you saw?

“Daddy's Home Part 2.”

Do you watch much television? What is your favorite TV show?

Too much — Food Network and HGTV.

What are three of your favorite foods?

Steak, seafood and pizza.

What is something that people may not know about you?

I am left-handed, drive a motorcycle, and do all my own home improvement work.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Having conversations with the children about school, life, or sometimes about nothing more that just talking.

Do you have any plans for this summer yet?

Vacation plans include a week at the beach. Summer plans are to follow my daughter Jenna around to AAU (basketball) tournaments, and develop some really great plans for the 2018-2019 school year.

What has been your all-time favorite summer vacation?

Any time with my wife and girls.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin