Lyle Guttu

Thief River Falls, Lincoln High School and Prowler hockey all loom large in Lyle Guttu’s memory.  He was one of the Prowlers who won the 1954 State Hockey Tournament, an event, which played a decisive role in determining his life path.  Soon after this incredible, even fabled, undefeated season, Harvard University began pursuing him.  Much to Guttu’s surprise, not only did Harvard have a hockey team, an essential in his mind, but it also had attracted the likes of Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson, Hawthorne and Longfellow, literary greats that he had admired in his high school American Literature class.  Guttu’s yearning to experience this academic world clinched his decision to attend Harvard University, and in 1958 he received his Bachelor’s degree in history.

     He left behind at Harvard his record as the second highest scorer in the university’s hockey history, a record that has since been broken, but still signifies an outstanding accomplishment.  After graduation he taught English and mathematics at Nichols School in Buffalo, New York, in addition to coaching Hockey.  Two years later he entered Graduate School at New York University, where he received specialized training in vocational counseling.  After graduating in 1964 he attended Union Theological Seminary, earning his Masters in Divinity in 1965.

     Since then he has served as a pastor at two New York churches and has held various positions at Wagner College, including Professor of Religious Studies, Chaplain and Dean of Students.  During his career Guttu has published numerous books, articles and papers.  In addition, he has served in leadership positions in nationally known organizations.  When asked where he grew up he proudly responds, without a moment’s hesitation, “Thief River Falls, Minnesota”.