Former Spencer Tigers standout Judd Sather will be inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Football Hall of Fame as part of the 32nd class of inductees. A ceremony will be held at halftime of Friday’s Class 4A championship game between Valley, West Des Moines and Bettendorf. The following is what the IHSAA has written up about the career and life of Sather:
Mr. Versatility likely was Sather’s middle name on the gridiron. The all-around athlete was the epitome of a triple-threat player as a quarterback, placekicker and punter on offense and a tough defensive back. He started on Coach Gary Swenson’s Spencer teams from 1987 through 1989, when the Tigers lost only once in the regular season and were 27-4 with three playoff appearances. In 1988 and 1989, they advanced to the semifinals. He won all-state honors his junior and senior seasons, including Elite All-State recognition as a defensive back in 1989, when he also was an honorable mention All-American and was picked for the Shrine Bowl. He was his team’s MVP that year and earned Academic All-State honors from the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He totaled over 1,000 yards of offense and was one of the state’s top placekickers as a senior, when he also pilfered seven passes and recovered two fumbles.
He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he was a four-year starter. A two-time all-conference selection, he was one of the top punters and tacklers in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for three seasons. As a senior, he ranked fifth nationally in NCAA Division III punting (40.6) and was a top tackler, earning Special Mention All-America recognition as a linebacker, free safety and punter. Following his graduation, he played semi-pro football in Minnesota and professional baseball in Europe.
From 1994-2011, he taught mathematics and coached football and baseball at St. Paul North High School. He currently owns and operates a photography studio in Stillwater, MN, where he and his family make their home.
