In Memoriam: Lucien Hotte, Jr.
Lucien “Luke” J. Hotte, Jr., 77, of Bridport, who served as assistant men’s and women’s track and field coach for 31 years, died on February 10 following an illness. Many generations of Middlebury athletes knew Hotte as a dedicated coach and fan, who was a fixture on the sidelines at track and field events.
“For forty years, Luke was not only the top throws coach in this part of the country, who produced All-Americans and national champions, but he was a humble good friend to all,” said Martin Beatty ’84, head men’s and women’s track and field coach. “He was so highly regarded that other throws coaches in the region would seek him out for advice.”
Hotte was born in Middlebury and raised on the Hotte Farm in Bridport, which has been in the family for more than 100 years. He graduated from Middlebury High School where he was the former state-record holder and state champion in the shot put. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Northeast Missouri University, where he competed on the track and field team. He was a 1969 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association shot put champion and a 1970 MIAA shot put runner-up.
After college, he returned to Middlebury and worked for more than 40 years as a field representative for Agri-Mark, which was known as Yankee Milk when he started in the 1970s.
Hotte dedicated four decades to coaching at Middlebury College, leaving an indelible mark on the track and field community. He joined the College in a volunteer capacity in 1986, and was hired in 1994 as an assistant coach. Hotte played a pivotal role in shaping generations of student-athletes, fostering both their athletic and personal growth.
Hotte’s passion for throwing events and commitment to his student-athletes helped Middlebury achieve numerous milestones and championships. Over the course of his tenure, he guided 15 NESCAC champions on the women’s team and 12 conference title holders in the men’s program. Hotte was part of six conference championship teams and coached six individual NCAA Champions. He has been a member of six NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors, including three for each program.
“They don’t make them like Luke anymore,” said Bryn Black ’02, an NCAA champion and member of Middlebury’s Athletic Hall of Fame. “More than anything he was an example for all of us with his approach to coaching and community—a quiet leader, whose patience, kindness, and good humor will be missed by all those who knew him at the College, in town, and in the local agricultural communities.”
Despite significant health challenges, Hotte was in the field house coaching in recent weeks. “Luke cared deeply about his athletes and Middlebury,” said Ali Paquette, assistant athletic director and director of athletic communications. “He was our No. 1 fan on Facebook, making sure to comment ‘Congrats’ on every post because he was such a big supporter of all of our teams.”
Coach Beatty agreed. “He loved his throwers and loved the team. He was more than a coach, he was a good friend and the Middlebury track and field program was his family.”
Hotte is survived by siblings Barbara Gleeson, Julia Benoit, Timothy Hotte, Jesse Hotte, Laura Altman, and Lisa Taylor. He was predeceased by brother, and former Bread Loaf campus manager, Leo Hotte, and sister Roseanna Lesser.
A viewing will be held at Sanderson Funeral Home, 117 South Main St. in Middlebury on Feb. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. A gathering will follow, 3-6 p.m. at the American Legion, 49 Wilson Rd, in Middlebury.