Eastern Montana Coach Dies

Robert E. Lee, a longtime coach, teacher and referee, died. He was 73. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Lee’s was the head football, tennis, baseball and wrestling coach at Eastern Montana College in 1964. His football teams won conference championships four times. He was voted NAIA District Five coach of the year in 1965, 1970 and 1971.

Lee reinstated the tennis program at EMC in 1964, coaching until the school dropped the program in 1982. During that time, his teams won 14 consecutive NAIA District 12 championships.

Lee also taught tennis at EMC and privately, coached Billings youth hockey and American Legion baseball and scouted for the Dallas Cowboys from 1961-1963. He officiated college basketball for 30 years and football for 26.