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Kenmore East Celebrates Lee Herbst Natatorium Dedication

Lee Herbst

On Friday, January 20th, the Kenmore East High School natatorium was officially renamed in honor of legendary swimming coach Lee Herbst.

The ceremony was attended by dozens of Mr. Herbst’s former students whose lives were deeply impacted through his leadership as well as family members.

Mr. Herbst spent 29 years as a swimming, diving, and soccer coach. He became Kenmore East’s head coach in 1972 and that year, the team earned its first Niagara Frontier League (NFL) championship. He went on to lead Kenmore East to four undefeated seasons and five NFL championships while training and guiding numerous All-Americans and five state champions. He also founded the Titans Swim Club beside Kenmore West swimming coach Bob Pufpaff.

He served as President of the WNY Swim Coaches Association from 1972 to 1976. He also served as a swim official for nearly three decades in addition to serving as President of the NFL Swim Officials Association several times. He was also an American Red Cross Instructor for lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and first aid, training and certifying hundreds of people in WNY.

Most significant of all was Mr. Herbst’s profound impact on the lives of countless individuals who had him as a coach and teacher.

Click here to see photographs from the event.