Growing Up at the U.S. Air Force Academy (1958-1963)
Updated: Aug 26
Growing Up at the U.S. Air Force Academy
A Coach’s Son Remembers the Early Years (1958–1963)
Editor's Note
Every military base has its legends, but few eras carry the unique magic of the early days at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Recently, Air Force veteran Walt Lenz, Jr. reached out to share his childhood memories of growing up on campus from 1958 to 1963, where his father, Col. Walter "Walt" Lenz, Sr., served as a founding coach and physical education instructor. Through Walt's eyes, we get a nostalgic, personal look at the close-knit coaching community that helped shape the inaugural USAFA Class of 1959 and the young leaders who followed.
THE MAN BEHIND THE WHISTLE
To a four-year-old boy, in 1958, Walt Lenz, Jr.'s dad, was his superhero. Long before he ever blew the whistle as a coach at the brand-new United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, his father, Colonel Walt A. Lenz, Sr.—known in the USAFA community as Coach Lenz—was already a powerhouse sportsman. He was a standout athlete at Franklin & Marshall College with nine varsity letters across basketball, baseball and soccer. He was All-American in soccer in 1951, and garnered an Honorable Mention All-American status as an exceptional soccer goalkeeper.
His athletic versatility didn't stop there. Coach Lenz was drafted as a pitcher by the Boston Braves and in basketball by the Lancaster Roses, while also receiving interest from the Philadelphia Phillies. These opportunities were even before he graduated from the Franklin & Marshall College, completed his ROTC program, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He even spent time touring the country playing basketball with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters on the opposing squad, and he earned an invitation to the U.S. Olympic Soccer Team trials. However, he was called to active duty in April 1954, as the Korean War was still underway—even though an armistice had been signed in July 1953.
By the summer of 1958, after Coach Lenz's first two initial Air Force assignments, his athletic talents and leadership landed him a spot at the young Air Force Academy serving in the Physical Education Department. He helped coach intramurals, football, and baseball when not involved in basketball or other duties.
Arrival in Colorado Springs meant stepping into a pioneering era. The Lenz family temporarily rented a home down past the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind while eagerly awaiting the completion of officer family housing in Douglas Valley. Once settled, Walt Jr.'s dad wore many hats while on staff at USAFA: teaching PE courses, directing intramural sports, assisting with baseball, and working closely with head football coach Ben Martin—a fellow hometown native from back east—on scouting and recruiting.
Coach Lenz's primary coaching assignment, however, was with the "Frosh" (the freshman team, known today as 4th Class Cadets or "Doolies"). For four years, he poured his energy into building competitive teams and developing young men into Air Force officers.
Walt Jr. remembers the fun-filled, fan craze and energy of sporting events at the Academy. While he was enjoying time in the stands, his dad's hard work contributions among the PE staff and coaches yielded rapid results for the Academy’s nascent sports program. During the 1958–1959 season, the USAFA basketball program achieved a stellar 14–9 record. Walt Jr. still recalls standout athletes from the inaugural Class of 1959, including Bob Blake and Cadet Wing Commander Robert "Bob" Beckel, who thrived on the team. Beckel went on to become the Academy’s first-ever Helms All-American in men's basketball in 1959, setting single-game scoring records and establishing USAFA as a legitimate national athletic competitor straight out of the gate.
Growing up, Walt Jr. didn't know the full story of his family's fascinating history. Walt Jr.'s great grandfather had been a Captain in the Tsar's Cavalry and had fled Tsarist Russia just before the Revolution. Nearly fifty years later, that Russian lineage triggered strict Cold War security protocols that delayed his father's Top-Secret clearance. Security rules required his father to wait until after the grandfather passed away in 1968—just months before his dad's deployment to Vietnam—to finally receive his clearance. Yet, through every administrative hurtle, his dedication to service never wavered.
After leaving the Academy in 1963, Coach Lenz earned his MBA at the University of Colorado Boulder (graduating Phi Beta Kappa), served in Vietnam (1968-1969), graduated from the Air War College, and developed into an exceptional leader in the Air Force Personnel community. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. Coach Lenz eventually turned down a path toward Brigadier General later in his career to focus on family—retiring in 1977 as Director of Personnel Programs at Langley Air Force Base.
For young Walt Jr., observing his father’s choices instilled a deep, lifelong appreciation for what mattered most. The four years at the Air Force Academy were more than just a chapter in his father's career; they laid the foundation for Walt Jr.’s own values. Living in Douglas Valley taught him that military life was anchored by tight-knit community support, unwavering faith, and putting family first—lessons that would shape Walt Jr.'s own future path as an Air Force officer.
LIFE IN DOUGLAS VALLEY & THE COACHING COMMUNITY
Moving into Douglas Valley in the early days was like joining an ultra-close family. The family—including Coach Lenz, his wife Marion, young Walt Jr., and his two sisters— settled into Quarters 4516-I—one of the infamous "Flintstone Duplexes" affectionately nicknamed by residents in the community for their blocky, stone, pre-historic looking architecture. The single-story homes resembled the cartoon. For the Lenz family the quarters were a dream in reality. Walt Jr. specifically recalls the Academy-issued furniture for use while living in Douglas Valley. Their new home came equipped with the bunk beds for the kids, a living room set, and a dining room table. The family loved it! The bunk beds were a hit with the kids.
Because the Academy hospital was still under construction and too far away during their initial 1958 arrival, Walt Jr.’s six-month-old sister was born down in Colorado Springs proper. The base itself was still taking shape, driven by a shared, pioneering spirit. Family life was intertwined with the Academy’s sacred spaces. Walt’s mother even helped hand-craft the very first altar "kneelers" used in the main chapel at the Academy. Young Walt Jr. attended Sunday school as a child in the temporary community hall in Douglas Valley that served as the base chapel annex during those early years.
The coaching staff formed a tightly knit bond that extended well past the sidelines. Neighbors stepped in to help each other daily.
Captain Conant, the Skiing Coach, patiently taught Walt Jr.’s mother how to drive (a task his father reportedly lacked the patience for!) and spent time teaching Walt Jr. how to build model airplanes—a cherished keepsake he still holds onto today.
Mr. Kitt, the only civilian coach on staff, was the Wrestling Coach, and his wife, Mrs. Kitt, was young Walt’s kindergarten teacher in 1959. The Lenz and Kitt were close families and even shared Christmas dinner together. While Mrs. Kitt was a nice teacher, Walt Jr. wasn't as excited to have the extra attention during the holidays. He remembers trying his best to behave — after all, his teacher was right across the table — but his natural energy still bubbled up. Years later he recognized how the community relied on one another while at the Academy.
Major Rox Shane, the Golf Coach, was a West Point graduate who chose to serve in the Air Force. Major Shane taught Coach Lenz how to golf on the newly built Eisenhower Golf Course—sparking a lifelong passion that led Coach Lenz to win numerous championships and score 13 official holes-in-one. They bonded as friends during their shared MBA studies at Colorado University. Tragically, Major Shane was lost in Vietnam just two weeks shy of completing his tour while flying low to check air strike results. Coach Lenz, Walt Jr.'s father was the officer called upon to identify his friend's remains when they were returned home—a heartbreaking duty carried out just before Coach Lenz would depart for Vietnam himself. The loss weighed heavy on the entire family before having to see their dad off.
Yet even amid the sobering realities of military service, life for a young boy on base remained full of light, wonder, and unforgettable adventures.
CADET MANIA & GROWING UP AS A COACH’S KID
The Air Force Academy was a magical playground for a four-year-old boy, and the cadets were larger-than-life heroes. Walt Jr. quickly came to savor everything about cadet life, the Academy, its grounds, and the athletic programs. The excitement was infectious across all ages—teen girls on base were smitten with the athletes, including one of Walt Jr.’s babysitters who ended up marrying the famous USAFA star quarterback, Terry Isaacson.
Being a coach’s kid came with plenty of perks, but also strict expectations. During Thanksgiving, Walt Jr.’s parents would open their quarters to host cadets for home-cooked meals—though young Walt and his sister were under strict orders to be on their absolute best behavior.
That wasn't always easy for a lively kid. Walt Jr. was a self-described handful, so much so that his father’s superiors once good-naturedly instructed him to "get his son in line!" His father would often accompany the cadets on European tours as a chaperone, so there were plenty of friendly eyes ensuring all was well on the homefront while he was gone. Base life meant everyone knew everyone, and someone was always watching.
Enthusiasm for the cadet culture extended to the parents, too. At the inaugural graduation for the Class of 1959, Walt Jr.’s mother famously got into a tussle with another woman over a cadet’s tossed white cap—determined to snag the ultimate souvenir for her cadet-obsessed young son.
Walt Jr. still holds onto fond, unforgettable memories that captured the unique flavor of those early years. The popular TV show Lassie filmed a two-part episode right on Academy grounds, showing off the sleek new campus to the nation to spur recruitment. During a football home game, one of the mascot falcons took an unscheduled three-day hiatus mid-game before casually flying back home—much to Walt Jr.'s amusement that the bird had "flown the coop".
Yet the early days had hard moments, too—including a tragic accident at the gate when explosive canopy charges on a static T-33 display jet detonated while two local boys were playing on it.
Still for young Walt, some of his favorite memories were on Saturdays sitting in the bleachers while they literally shook as crowds roared classic, simple chants like, "Fumble play, fumble play, we wanna have a fumble play!"
A LASTING LEGACY OF SERVICE
In 1963, Coach Lenz was transferred to the Pentagon after four formative years of coaching, building athletic programs, and mentoring young officers. The family left Colorado Springs with a lifetime of memories and bonds that never faded. Coach Lenz thoroughly loved that assignment and was fully committed to seeing the Academy excel in sports and the development of outstanding Air Force officers.
The spirit of service passed down through the generations. Both Walt Jr. and his wife went on to serve and retire from the U.S. Air Force—notably serving in the same command and specialty (Personnel) that his father, Coach Lenz, had led so exceptionally after his coaching days.
Looking back, those five years at the foot of the Rampart Range were more than just a coaching assignment. They represented the dawn of a new Air Force tradition, built by dedicated officers, close families, and the young cadets of the Class of 1959 who went on to lead the nation.
In the photos below: Colonel Walter A Lenz, Sr. and Major Walt Lenz, Jr.
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