The Frank Inslee Service Award

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SPS High School Athletic Hall of Fame • Seattle WA

Dick Lee was a basketball All-City and All-State player at Ballard High School. In 1961, his senior year, his team finished 2nd in the state, the highest finish ever for a Ballard basketball team. He went on to be a three-year letterman at the University of Washington. After 30 years in the restaurant-hospitality business, Dick focused his attention on raising funds for Seattle Public Schools, particularly high school athletics, to provide other students with the opportunities he had in high school. He has worked directly with the Seattle School District to create public-private partnerships to benefit students and schools in the District. He has promoted events supporting Seattle Public Schools, local schools, and school support groups, and has worked with school foundations and other non-profit organizations to put on events and raise funds. He co-founded Music4Life to provide instruments for underserved students in the Seattle Public Schools and other local school districts. Dick has worked extensively with Ballard and Ingraham High Schools, as well as being involved in community celebrations and/or auction events for more than 20 schools in the District, including Garfield, Cleveland, Roosevelt, and West Seattle High Schools. His accomplishments have included: • Ballard High School » All Community Celebration with opening of new facility » Founder of annual Ballard BASH auction fundraiser » Co-founder of Ballard High School Foundation » Co-founder of Ballard High School Athletic Booster Club • Ingraham High School » All Community Celebration with opening of new science/library facilities » Founder of Ingraham auction » Co-founder of Ingraham High School Athletic Booster Club He has been involved in raising over $10 million in support of Seattle Public Schools, with a focus on athletics and underserved students. He was the force behind the creation of the SPS Athletic Hall of Fame, and the gym at Ballard High School is named for him. A first generation college graduate, Dick credits athletics for seeing him to and through his college career and beyond. He is humbled to be in the company today of so many great athletes.

2019 Recipient: Dick Lee