Saturday, August 21, 2004

You go guy!

Rapid City coach, principal recalls bicycle crashAssociated Press
CUSTER, S.D. - It was a year ago that Larry Luitjens, a Custer high school coach and principal, went for a bike ride that nearly killed him.
Luitjens, 62, suffered a concussion, punctured lung and other injuries when he collided with a passing motor home on Highway 89 in Custer State Park.
He is still recovering but continues to ride bike, covering 100 miles or more a week. His route often includes the spot where the accident happened.
"I don't really feel much of anything when I go past it now," said Luitjens.
Luitjens was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002. He said a book by cycling champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong helped him deal with the disease. He recently completed a series of 28 radiation treatments.
"I read that book and knew I was going to start biking," Luitjens said.
One of South Dakota's most successful high school basketball coaches, Luitjens has seven Class A state championships in his career.
He has returned to his administrative duties but not to coaching.
"If you're going to do it (coach), the fire should be there. And the fire wasn't there," he said. "It'll be tough when practice starts. And I don't know if I'll go to a game this year."

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