Check out the Athletic Hall of Fame archive that features video stories about the inductees.

The 2024 Doc Buchanan Award is presented to Dennis Lindsey, “Coach Lindsey,” for the pivotal role he played as a passionate leader in developing the legacy of high standards and excellence in the athletic programs of the Clovis Unified School District.  Dennis’ amazing 39-year career in Clovis Unified has left an enduring impact on the district.  Partnering with Doc Buchanan in his vision to establish Clovis Unified as a premier school district for student-athletes, Dennis was an integral part of developing many of the systems to not only develop great athletes, but also to develop a strong legacy of sportsmanship and scholarship among our students.

Coach Lindsey was involved in many of the foundational decisions credited with creating a district-wide athletic program and championed Doc’s motto of “Win with class and lose with dignity” to generations of student-athletes.

Joining the district in 1970, Dennis was a coach and teacher at Clovis High School before joining newly opened Clovis West High School in 1977, first as an English teacher and then as Activities Director before assuming the job of Athletic Director.  He was then asked to be the Coordinator of Co-Curricular Programs from 1997-2007, before becoming Director of Co-Curricular Programs.  Dennis retired in 2009 and remains an avid follower of all Clovis Unified athletics.

Leading the 1970 Clovis High School football team, Coach Lindsey brought Clovis Unified its very first Valley Championship following a 27-15 win over Bullard High School.  The win established the start of the district’s CIF Central Section dominance.

During his tenure at Clovis West High School, the school won Athletic Supremacy Awards, was named Cal-Hi Sports State Athletic School of the Year, and brought home two state championships, 42 section championships, and 67 league championships.

Dennis’ contributions to the culture of Clovis Unified athletics can also be found in his work to establish the first athletic code of conduct for students and coaches used in the district, along with standards and expectations of behavior for spectators.  Recognizing the value to students of the district’s elementary athletics program, he was also instrumental in creating the elementary playoff system and district championship program that student-athletes still enjoy today.

His recognition with this year’s Doc Buchanan Award acknowledges a career spent dedicated to opening doors of opportunity for the students and families of Clovis Unifed and to the effort and intentionality required to establish the district as an athletic powerhouse in the nation.  This is Coach Lindsey’s Legacy!

Background

Interview

California Track Association Program of the Decade (1980s)

Girls

• 1981, 1982, 1983 League Champions
• 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 CIF Section Champions
• 1981, 1982, 1983 Undefeated seasons
• 1984 Ranked 5^th in the State

Boys

• 1983 League Champions
• 1981, 1983, 1984 CIF Section Champions
• 1983, 1984 Ranked 3^rd in the State

Head Coach:  Steve Ward

Assistant Coach:  Carlo Prandini, Ph.D.

1981 Team Members

1982 Team Members

1983 Team Members

1984 Team Members

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Fort Washington Elementary School
• Kastner Intermediate School
• Clovis West High School

High School

• 4 Years Varsity Water Polo
• 4 Years Varsity Swimming
• 2006 CWHS Offensive Player of the Year, Water Polo
• 2007, 2008, 2009 CWHS MVP, Water Polo
• 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 CWHS Most Valuable Swimmer
• 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 CWHS Record Holder in the 200 & 500 Freestyle, and the 200 Free and 400 Free Relays
• 2008, 2009 CIF Section Championship, Water Polo
• 2008, 2009 First Team All-American, Water Polo
• 2008, 2009 TRAC Water Polo Player of the Year
• 2008, 2009 CIF Water Polo Player of the Year
• 2008, 2009 Fresno Bee Water Polo Player of the Year
• 2009, 2010 TRAC Swimmer of the Year
• 2009, 2010 CIF Swimmer of the Year
• 2009, 2010 Fresno Bee Swimmer of the Year
• 15 Time CIF Swimming Champion (7 Individual + 8 Relay)
• 13 Time Swimming All-American (9 Individual + 4 Relay)
• 2010 Clovis West Athlete of the Year
• 2010 B’nai B’rith Award Winner

College

• 2010 Arizona State Water Polo Team Member
• 2011-2014 Arizona State Swim Team Member
• 2011, 2012, 2012, 2013 NCAA Qualifier, Swimming
• 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 NCAA All-American, Swimming
• 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Scholar Baller (3.0 or higher GPA)
• 2012, 2013 Pac-12 1650 Freestyle Silver Medalist
• 2013 ASU “Mona Plummer” Most Inspirational Swimmer Award
• 2013, 2014 Team Captain ASU Swim Team
• 2014 ASU Most Valuable Swimmer Award

National

• 2010 Junior Pan Pacs 10K Open Water Gold Medalist
• 2010 Junior Pan Pacs 400 Freestyle Silver Medalist
• 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier
• 2012-2016 US Open Water National Team Member
• 2014 US Open Water Nationals 5K Silver Medalist

Background

Interview

Coaching History

• 1978-1997 Clovis West Girls Basketball Coach
• 379 Career Wins
• Eleven League Championships
• Six CIF Central Section Championships
• 1991, 1994, 1995 SoCal State Finals
• 2002-2006 Fresno City College Asst. Mens Basketball Coach
• 1997-2002 and 2016-2024 Clovis West Asst. Boys Basketball Coach

Accolades

• 1982, 1983, 1988, 1991 City All-Stars Womens Team-Head Coach
• 1983, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995 All-Metro Coach of the Year
• 1993 Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions-Top Coach Award
• 1995 All-State All-Star Womens Team-Assistant Coach North Team
• 1997 California Coaches Association Girls Basketball Coach of the Year
• 1997 All-State All-Star Womens Team-Head Coach North Team
• 1998 NFICA Section 7 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year
• 2001 Fresno City-County All-Star Basketball Hall of Fame
• 2012 CIF Central Section Lifetime Achievement Honoree

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Dry Creek Elementary School
• Kastner Intermediate School
• Clovis West High School

High School

• Three Year Starter, Water Polo
• 1990-1991 Team Captain, Water Polo
• 1990, 1991 First Team All-League, Water Polo
• 1990, 1991, 1992 Junior National Water Polo Team Member
• 1991 First Team Central Section, Water Polo
• 1991 First Team All-American, Water Polo
• 1992 All-American, Swimming, Set Boys National Record 4x100 Freestyle Relay
• 1992 CIF Section Champion, Boys 100 Freestyle
• 1992 League Champion, Boys High Jump – 6’10”

College

• Four Year Member of the UC Davis Mens Water Polo Team
• Three Year Member of the UC Davis Mens Track and Field Team
• 1995, 1996 Captain UC Davis Mens Water Polo Team
• 1995, 1996 First Team Western Water Polo Conference
• 1996 Division I National Mens Water Polo Championship
• 1996 NCAA Division II Water Polo Player of the Year
• 1996 First Team All-American Division I

Post-College

• 1998-2008 Olympic Club of San Francisco Mens Open and Masters Water Polo team member and starter
• 2002-2005 Commissioner, Olympic Club Water Polo Program
• 2003 1^st Place, USA Mens Open Outdoor National Water Polo Championship-Olympic Club
• 2003 1^st Place, Open Mens 25^th Annual Hawaiian Invitational Water Polo Tournament-Olympic Club
• 2004 1^st Place, USA Mens Open Water Polo Championship-Olympic Club
• 2004 2^nd Place, USA Mens Indoor Water Polo National Championships-Olympic Club
• 2006 Silver Medal, FINA World Masters Water Polo Championships, Mens 30s Division-Olympic Club
• 2008 Gold Medal, FINA World Masters Water Polo Championship, Mens 30s Division-Olympic Club

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Gettysburg Elementary School
• Reyburn Intermediate School
• Clovis East High School

High School

• Three Years Varsity Football
• Three Years Varsity Track and Field
• 2009 CIF State Track and Field Team Championship
• 2009 CIF State Runner Up, Discus
• 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, Football
• 2010 CIF Valley Champion, Discus & Shot Put
• 2010 CIF State Champion, Discus
• 2010 CIF State Runner Up, Shot Put
• 2010 Clovis East Male Athlete of the Year
• 2010 City-County All-Star Football Game

College

• 2011 California Community College State Champion, Shot Put at Fresno City College
• 2013 NAIA National Indoor Champion, Shot Put, Concordia College, Portland
• 2013 NAIA National Outdoor Champion, Shot Pu & Discus
• 2013 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships MVP
• 2013 NAIA All-American, Track and Field
• 2014 NACAC U23 Champion, Shot Put

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Dry Creek Elementary School
• Kastner Intermediate School
• Clovis West High School

High School

• 1982, 1983, 1984 League Championship, Water Polo
• 1983, 1984, 1985 League Championship, Swimming
• 1983, 1984 CIF Valley Championship, Water Polo
• 1983, 1984 CIF Tournament MVP, Water Polo
• 1983, 1984 All-American, Water Polo
• 1983, 1984 Fresno Bee Water Polo Player of the Year
• 1983, 1984 League Most Valuable Player of the Year, Water Polo
• 1984, 1985 Golden Eagle Award
• 1985 CIF Valley Championship, Swimming
• 1985 B’nai B’rith Award Winner

College

• 1985-1990 Stanford University
• 1985, 1986 NCAA Water Polo Championship
• 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 NCAA All-American
• 1988 NCAA Water Polo Championships 4^th Place Finish
• 1989 NCAA Water Polo Championships 3^rd Place Finish
• 1990 Stanford University Most Outstanding Male Athlete
• 1990 Pac-10 Conference Medal for Achievement in Athletics, Academics & Leadership

National & International Athletics

• 1983, 1984 U.S. Junior Olympic Games Silver Medalist
• 1983, 1984 U.S. Junior Olympic Games All-American
• 1985, 1986, 1987 U.S. National Junior Water Polo Team
• 1986 Junior Pan American Games Gold Medalist-Ponce, Puerto Rico
• 1987 World Junior Championships – Sao Paulo, Brazil
• 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 U.S. National Water Polo Team
• 1989 U.S. Senior National Water Polo Tournament MVP

Background

Interview

Education

• M.A., B.A., California State University, Los Angeles
• Ph.D., Witchita State University
• Post-Doctoral Certificate, Management Development Program, Harvard University

Coaching History

• 1970-1973 Pasadena Unified School District
• 1973-1974 L.A. County Superintendent of Schools
• 1977-1980 University of Nevada, Reno
• 1890-2007 Fresno State University
• 2007-2023 Clovis West Girls Golf
  • 16 League Championships in 16 Years
  • 13 CIF Section Championships (9 consecutive)
  • 12 Northern Area Championships (9 consecutive)
  • Most Consecutive CIF Section Girls Golf Championships in CIF history
  • Teams won 99 pf 101 matches played in CIF Central Section
  • Teams won 123 of 132 tournaments played in CIF Central Section

Accolades

• 2018 State CIF Model Coach of the Year
• 2020 National Federation of High School Associations California Coach of the Year
• 2020 National Federation of High School Associations Western Section (AZ, CA, HI, NV, UT) Coach of the Year

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Cole Elementary School
• Kastner Intermediate School
• Clovis West High School

High School

• 1993 CIF Section Championship
• 1994 Led Clovis West to 11-1 Record
• 1994 League Most Valuable Player of the Year

College

• Earned Football Scholarship to Fresno State University
• 3 Year Starter at Fresno State
• 1999 WAC Championship
• 1999 Set NCAA season record for lowest interception percentage with 30 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions

Professional Football

• 2000-2006 Tennessee Titans
• 2006-2011 San Diego Chargers
• NFL Record most passing yards in first 10 career starts
• One of four NFL Quarterbacks to throw for back-to-back 400 yard games
• Completed 60.5 percent of his NFL passes with 27 Touchdowns
• Top 10 moments in Charges history for coming in for an injured Philip Rivers and beating Peyton Manning and the Colts in the 2009 Playoffs in Indianapolis

Background

Interview