Fort Lewis College Athletics

Pat Newton staked a claim in Fort Lewis College athletic history by becoming the school's first all-time career rushing leader. The Durango High School graduate amassed 2,522 rushing yards during his four-year career from 1967 through 1970, a feat that no other Raider or Skyhawk running back had come close to duplicating at the time of his induction.

Mr. Newton, who also lettered in track at Fort Lewis College in 1967 and 1968, ranked 20th in the nation in rushing as a freshman and earned first team All-RMAC honors as a senior. He earned a master's degree in athletic administration from Emporia State University in 1973.

Mr. Newton's teaching and coaching career has taken him from Colorado to Alaska and back. Throughout his career he's coached football, track & field, and girls' basketball. Mr. Newton won state girls' basketball Coach of the Year awards in both Alaska (at Eagle River in 1983-84) and Colorado (at Nederland in 1990-91) after claiming state championships at both schools.

He was honored as the Mile High League Coach of the Year in both 1993-94 and 1994-95, and as the Mile High League Athletic Director of the Year in 1993-94.
In 1993, the Colorado High School Coaches Association honored him with a 20-year recognition for coaching football and 15-year recognition for coaching girls' basketball.

He was named to DHS's 100-year anniversary all-star football team as a running back.