Kalamazoo, Michigan is pausing to remember Ted Duckett, a teacher and coach whose steady presence at Loy Norrix High School shaped generations of young lives. His death has left a quiet ache across the community, especially among former students who still hear his voice pushing them to do better, not just in sports, but in life.
Duckett arrived at Loy Norrix in 1969, when the school itself was still finding its footing. What followed was more than five decades of service to Kalamazoo Public Schools. He taught physical education and coached football, track, and basketball, becoming a familiar figure in the gym, on the field, and in the hallways. Few educators stay long enough to teach the children of their former students. Duckett did, and he did it with the same energy and care.
To many, he was demanding, but never unkind. Duckett believed that young people rose to the level expected of them. He pushed hard, spoke plainly, and never lowered the bar. At the same time, he listened. When students struggled, he met them where they were and helped them find their footing. That mix of discipline and compassion became his signature.
Former student and athlete Linnie Coleman described Duckett as one of the most important mentors in his life. From their first meeting, Coleman said Duckett saw potential others had missed. He offered guidance that was honest and sometimes tough, but always rooted in care. For many students, that kind of attention changed the direction of their lives.
Duckett’s impact extended beyond the classroom and the sidelines into his own family. He raised two sons, Tico and T.J. Duckett, who became standout football players at Loy Norrix and later at Michigan State University. T.J. Duckett went on to play in the NFL, carrying with him lessons learned long before the spotlight, shaped by a father who valued effort, humility, and preparation.
Inside Loy Norrix, Duckett was known for more than his knowledge of sports. He was trusted. Colleagues leaned on his experience. Students felt safe in his presence. The gym floors and practice fields still carry echoes of his lessons, reminders that winning mattered less than character and consistency.
As Kalamazoo reflects on his life, one truth stands out clearly. Ted Duckett did not just teach classes or coach teams. He showed up, year after year, believing in young people before they believed in themselves. That belief became his legacy, one that will continue to live on in the countless lives he helped shape.
