In the midst of celebrating the last day of school, Beaver Lake Middle School took time to honor an educator and coach who had gone above and beyond to make their school great. At a special ceremony, the Beaver Lake Middle School gym and basketball court were dedicated to Chuck Lee, a Sammamish resident, teacher and coach who died in February.

The Issaquah School District posted on Facebook:

“Lee was known throughout the halls of Beaver Lake Middle School. He was well respected and connected to both students and staff. He was more than a coach, teacher, prankster or dean of students; he was part of the bulldog family.”

After his passing, students and staff wanted to honor the legacy of Lee’s 30-plus years of teaching and coaching and commemorate his memory with the gym dedication. Students and staff brought a request to the attention of the district and then the school board, who approved the naming of the basketball court in Lee’s honor.

Lee’s eldest son, Winslow, accepted an honorary plaque on his father’s behalf, sharing that Beaver Lake Middle School had been more than a job to his father, it had been a passion.

Over the summer, the Beaver Lake Middle School basketball court will be painted to say “Chuck Lee Court” in commemoration of Lee.