Upper Iowa University Athletics

William F. "Bill" Gutches received his B.S. from Upper Iowa University in 1929. In 1945, he received his Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Columbia Teachers College, New York City, New York.

At UIU, Gutches was a standout in football for four years straight. He was captain of the football team in his senior year. He lettered in baseball three times and basketball four times. He was also business manager of the basketball team during his sophomore year. He played on Doc Dorman’s first Iowa Conference championship football team in 1925. He was a member of the D.C.Y., acting as president his senior year and treasurer his sophomore year.

Following graduation from UIU, Gutches coached successively in Iowa in Maynard, Dows, Soldier, in Onawa. In 1942, he was hired as teacher and coach at Blue Island High School, Blue Island, Illinois. His football teams won four conference championships in a Chicago suburban league. He was appointed the Athletic Director spot at Blue Island in 1951, and was subsequently named Athletic Director at an additional Blue Island High School. When he retired in 1970, after 40 years at the secondary education level, there were 41 coaches on his staff. In January 1977, he and his wife, LaVonne, moved to Mesa, Arizona. He passed away on September 4, 1980.

In 1981, Floyd Gazer of Blue Island, a former athlete and friend, presented a William F. Gutches Award Plaque to each of the three Blue Island school district high schools. Each year, for 28 years, a student will be chosen at each school according to scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. Their names will be scribed on the plaques.

Gutches always said, “One of the greatest ‘awards’ a coach can hppe for is that somewhere along the line he can help a young man to be a success in life.”