Skip to main content

Kurt Matter (1969) - Football, Basketball

Name
Kurt Matter
Class
1969
Category
HoF Individual
Induction Year
2012

Kurt attended R.A. Long for 3 years from 1967 to 1969 and proved himself to be an outstanding athlete.  He lettered in Football and basketball all three years of high school and track one year. He was named to the football, All League 2nd team in his junior and senior years and 1st team All League in his junior and senior years for basketball. Kurt lead the league basketball in scoring his junior year and was 2nd in scoring his senior year. He was a member of the R.A. Long l967 undefeated football team. Kurt attended the University of Washington on a full athletic scholarship. While at UW he earned a varsity letter 3 years and started every game after the third week of his sophomore year. Kurt received and honorable mention for the All Pac-8 his junior year. His senior year Kurt was named to the 2nd team All Pac and to the All Coast team. He played in the 1973 Hula Bowl All Star game. Kurt was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.  In 1973 and played two pre-seasons, then played for the Portland Storm/Thunder 1974 and 1975. He married his sweetheart, Joanie Kinglsey in 1971, they have two daughters Lisa and Amy, who have given them three grandchildren. Kurt owned and operated the Rickey Creek Orchard in Kettle Falls, WA from 1975 to 1993. They grew cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines and apples. They were named Stevens County and Washington State Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1991 for stewardship of the land and growing practices. Kurt served on the Kettle Falls School Board from the mid 1980's to 1996, including 4 years as chairman of the board. He represented small schools on the Washington State School Directors Legislative Committee. He was Kettle Falls School District Superintendent from 1997 to 1999. Kurt was named Educator of the Year by the Northeast Washington Superintendents Association in 1999.