Gary B. Stutzman
Community Supporter (1969-2000)
Former student and Waubonsee's first Sports Information Writer
Promoted and covered Waubonsee Athletics as sports reporter and award-winning columnist for the Aurora Beacon-News from 1975 to 2000
First sports reporter and writer for Insight, Waubonsee's student newspaper
Gary Stutzman was a loyal longtime supporter of Waubonsee and a true promoter of Chiefs' athletics. Using the power of the media, he brought more positive exposure to Waubonsee athletics than any other individual.
Affectionately known to many as "Stutz," Stutzman attended Waubonsee in 1969 and 1970, after serving two years in the Navy with an Atlantic-based Submarine Force. He found his calling by answering a small sign asking for help with the school's Insight student newspaper. Stutzman excelled as its first sports writer, going on to earn a Waubonsee Foundation Scholarship award, make the Dean's List, and be tabbed as the Insight's Most Valuable Staffer.
Stutzman later became Waubonsee's first sports information writer before working as Sports Editor at the Oswego Ledger, Managing Editor at the Batavia Herald, and helping establish the Oswego Sentinel, respectively.
In 1975, Stutzman became a sports reporter and columnist for the Aurora Beacon-News and remained in that position until 2000. While there, he covered and promoted Waubonsee athletics on a level never equaled before or since. He wrote numerous human-interest stories and profiled countless Waubonsee athletes over the years. He garnered several Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) awards for his column writing.
A 1961 graduate of East Aurora High School, Stutzman has been the Managing Editor for the Hillsboro Argus newspaper in suburban Portland, Ore., the last five years. He and his wife, Denise, reside in Tualatin, a west suburb of Portland.