Dedication honors 42 years of service for UCS' Rick Bye

Nearly four decades ago, Rick Bye envisioned a facility for Stevenson student athletes that represented school pride and a commitment to excellence of Stevenson High School.
Now that vision will carry his name.
The Utica Community Schools Board of Education approved the naming of the Stevenson Fieldhouse after a committee of staff, parents and alumni recommended the honor. The fieldhouse was dedicated before a community of former and current athletes and staff.
“None of this would have been possible without my coaches and those who supported us. We wanted to encourage all athletes to be the best they could be,” Bye said. “I am so proud to have my attached to this facility.”
Bye began as an educator with Utica Community Schools in 1970 and, throughout his 42-year career in the district, had a positive influence on countless students in the classroom and on the athletic field. He taught drafting, physical education, and woodshop, served as athletic director, and coached basketball, track and field, and football at Stevenson High School.

Bye experienced tremendous success as a head football coach:

• Macomb County Coach of the Year seven times.
• Head coach of teams that were selected as Macomb County Team of the Year 14 times.
• Induction into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997, the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Macomb County Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005.
• Eighteen playoff appearances, 12 district championships, 10 regional championships, and four state championship final appearances.
• A combined 268-94 record spanning 35 years, ranking Bye as one of the top 20 Michigan high school coaches for wins.

“I cannot think of a better way to acknowledge the work of Coach Bye than having this fieldhouse in his honor,” Stevenson principal Kenneth Cucchi said. “This is a place where student and athletes come together as Titans that that was what Coach Bye was all about.”

The naming comes as Stevenson High School works to upgrade the facility with natural lighting, improved practice areas and branding that celebrates the school’s proud history.

“Having a man who inspired and led so many people on and off the field, there is no better fit than to name our weight room for Coach Rick Bye, said senor Caden Bollinger, a three-sport athlete at Stevenson. “Coach Bye created new communities, accepted everyone and cared most of all about people he was with,” said senor Caden Bollinger. “He has brought Stevenson football to life and created a winning mentality that will live on for generations to come. Coach Bye has set a standard and our goal is to exceed it.”

Superintendent Robert Monroe said Bye’s legacy goes beyond his records and awards.
“At the heart of his success was his ability to build relationships with those around him,” Monroe said. “He connected with students, parents and the community on a very personal level. When Mr. Bye built relationships with other students and teachers, he built a community.”

Superintendent Robert Monroe

Http://www.uticak12.org

Source: Utica Community Schools