BOB KUTZER

Whatcom County Lakers / Skagit Valley Raiders

Defensive End / Linebacker / Head Coach / Owner

1971 - 1986

Bob Kutzer was heralded as one of the best players to come out of Burlington-Edison in the class of 1962.  A 106lb wrestler and All-Northwest tight end in 1961, Kutzer began his semi-pro career returning to Washington with the Whatcom County Lakers in 1971 and spent two seasons as the Lakers outstanding defensive end.  Bob broke off on his own in 1973 to create the Skagit Valley Raiders, tying his former team that year before winning three-straight in the following seasons before Whatcom folded in 1976. 

Kutzer was an all-league linebacker in 1974 and the next year was named the NIFL Coach of the Year after taking the Raiders to a league runners-up position.

The Raiders tied their fortunes to whatever players they could muster in the early years which made for some up and down season, however, when they were up, the Raiders were formidable and grew into one of the toughest challengers to the undefeated Auburn Panthers in the 1980's.  The Raiders and Panthers would play for the NFA championship in 1986 and 1987.

Kutzer would begin his exit after nearly over fifteen years in the semi-pro ranks, stepping down as head coach of the Raiders turning the coaching duties to player/coach Dick Straathof.

Bob was inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Burlington-Edison High Hall of Fame in 2008.

1974 NIFL All-Star Linebacker

1975 NIFL Head Coach of the Year