Spartans say Good-Bye to Boal

After 35 years of living and breathing the La Cañada Spartans, coach, teacher and athletic director Randy Boal is saying good-bye.

Well, kind of.

Boal stepped down last June after 33 years of teaching at La Cañada High— mostly social studies classes — and 14 years of serving as the Spartan athletic director to become the assistant athletic director to new AD Al Reyes.

“I said I would stick around another year to train the new AD,” Boal said. “And this year was one of the happiest.”

He has spent the time compiling a special binder full of information and bits of wisdom from his three decades on the job to pass on to the new athletic director.

Boal will leave his official post in the athletic department to retire this June.

“But I will continue to advise the new AD on an as-needed basis, and I will also continue in my role as the Rio Hondo League scheduler,” Boal assured.

Born and raised in the foothills, Boal attended Paradise Canyon Elementary, what was then La Cañada Junior High, and then graduated from Muir High School in 1962— one year before La Cañada High School opened its doors.

He married Marsha Kettle of La Cañada and helped found the La Cañada Junior All-American Football program, better know as the La Cañada Gladiators. They have one son, Erik, a La Cañada High graduate.

Boal began his LCHS career in the fall of 1972 as a walk-on freshman football coach, and after receiving his teaching credential, began teaching in 1974.

“I am a teacher first,” Boal said, “and then whatever other role I fulfill.”

He coached football, baseball, softball and basketball throughout the following 13 years before stepping away from coaching, and eventually taking over the role of athletic director in 1993.

“My job is to facilitate the coaches,” said Boal. “I take care of all the details and facilities to help them do their job better.”

La Cañada principal Dr. Damon Dragos describes Boal as a modest man who likes to work behind the scenes to ensure smooth operations.

“Randy loves what he does,” Dragos said. “And he carries the history of the school, he knows the traditions and the origins of the traditions.”

A large part of the tradition at LCHS is focused on success, Boal said, and that carries over onto the athletic field.

“Parents, coaches and kids all want success, and La Cañada’s teams are a characterization of hard work.”

Boal takes great pride in the accomplishments of La Cañada students both on the field and in the classroom.

The Spartans have earned between eight and 12 league titles each year that Boal has been in the athletic department, as well as several CIF titles. Boal is most proud of the football and basketball CIF title he helped the school achieve, as well as starting the girls’ softball program that he coached to over 100 wins.

“We always focus on team and classroom achievement, and our average GPA for our 21 varsity teams this year is 3.28,” Boal said, printing out a spreadsheet that listed nine of the 21 Spartan teams as placing first in the Rio Hondo League for 2006-2007student-athlete GPA.

Despite the many athletic successes, Boal says his proudest moments come in the classroom.

“It is great when a student comes back from college and says what he or she learned made for success later on. It is great to see that,” he said.

Boal has been a part of La Cañada High for 35 of the school’s 44 years and has seen many change to the school and its athletic program.

“He is a character from another time who has transitioned to the present,” Dragos said.

Though he will miss the contact with the coaching staff, league acquaintances and especially interaction with the students, Boal looks forward to his future plans.

“Mrs. Boal and I are going to Hawaii for our wedding anniversary,” he says with a smile. “I look forward to working on some personal hobbies and doing some other traveling as well.”

Randy Boal will surely be missed by La Cañada High faculty, students and coaches, but he’s not disappearing completely.

“I still get excited on Friday nights,” Boal says, chuckling after revealing that football is his favorite. “I’ll still attend a few games.”