Lower Columbia College alumni will tell you that there is a lot to love about their school. For some, love is also in the air.
Doug and Alice Dietz came to LCC as student-athletes. Doug, a Mark Morris High School grad, brought his basketball skills to the Red Devils and helped win the school’s first hoops title in 50 years. Alice, who attended Kelso High, was a standout soccer player for the Devils. The two knew each other from their middle school days, when they met and began dating at church camp. Their first relationship quickly faded but was rekindled when they arrived on the LCC campus in 2003.
“At LCC we hung out as student-athletes and had classes together,” Alice said. The two began dating and by the time they were finishing their two years at LCC they had decided to be together forever. Both wanted to move on to a four-year college and earn bachelor’s degrees, as well as continue playing their sport. Doug got an offer to play basketball and attend The Evergreen State College in Olympia. Alice postponed her college plans for a year because the couple were awaiting the birth of their first son, Deacon. It was a joyous time, but also presented challenges: should they continue college or drop out and find jobs to support their young family?
Fortunately, their families and the LCC coaching community offered support and encouraged them to stay in school. Doug and Alice decided their college opportunity could not wait.
“We were lucky to have people in our ears, telling us we could still do this,” Doug said. “With that extra push, we started to believe we can do this; it’s not insurmountable.”
Doug and Alice said their experiences as student-athletes also served them well as they decided to continue college.
“Perseverance would be the word that comes to mind,” Alice said. “Pushing through. Life can be more challenging, but you can do it.”
Alice returned to college at Evergreen and won a spot on the women’s soccer team. The couple earned their degrees and later returned to Longview. Doug is a longshoreman and Alice works for Cowlitz PUD as public relations and communications manager. She also is a member of the LCC Board of Trustees. Older son Deacon is a student at Whitworth University in Spokane, where he plays football. Younger son Doc, 9, is showing interest in baseball and golf.
Doug and Alice don’t know what would have happened if they had made different choices. They are simply grateful for the guidance and support they received.
“LCC staff advocated for us and helped us go on to a four-year school,” Alice said. She said LCC will always be a special part of their lives.
“The staff and faculty in every role at the school are student focused,” Alice said. “Even if I didn’t recognize it as a student-athlete, I do now. I love that about LCC.”
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