The Sunnyvale Alumni Association has announced that former Science teacher and coach Mike Allen, who was with the district from 1990-1999, has been named the 2024 Legacy Award recipient. Allen will be honored at halftime at the Homecoming game on October 25 at Raider Stadium.
“Coach Allen was loved by all students,” SISD Alumnus Association President Codie Lunt (SJH ‘96) said. “He made his Science classes fun and memorable with dissections, experiments, and models we created — my favorites being the shark dissection and insect collection, which I feel the smells may never escape my memory! Coach Allen wasn’t only a great teacher and coach, but a wonderful mentor. During our adolescence, he walked us through life, discussing real-world situations we faced and taught us to be better decision-makers. It’s an honor to recognize Coach Allen for the difference he’s made and the great memories he created.”
Allen’s journey to Sunnyvale began with a simple drive through the town.
"I drove through the community and really liked what I saw," he said. “Conversations with Mr. Blankenship,Wanda Garner, Ron Houncel helped me lock in my decision.”
From that point on, SISD became the place where Allen would leave a lasting mark on students, athletes, and the community. During his time at Sunnyvale, Allen taught science, where he inspired a love for learning and curiosity among his students.
The opportunity to have great students willing to learn. Athletes willing to work hard and learn both sportsmanship and teamwork.
"The opportunity to have great students willing to learn, and athletes willing to work hard and learn both sportsmanship and teamwork was the best part of being at Sunnyvale," he said. “The best part was the support of the parents behind me.”
Allen recalls his time in the classroom, especially the unique experiences that enriched his teaching and the students’ learning.
"As a science teacher, my favorite memory is the moon watch parties we would hold,” he said. “The parents would have a BBQ while the students and I enjoyed looking at what we were studying in class. The collection of insects project was always a big hit with the students.”
On the football field, Allen cherished his role as the head coach, particularly calling plays and watching his athletes execute them just as they had practiced.
He also has fond memories of moments like dissecting sharks in science class, which brought the whole school together—though not always for the most pleasant reasons!
"My funniest memory of Sunnyvale is the whole school reacting to the smell of the sharks we were dissecting in science," Allen recalled.
For Allen, being selected as the 2024 Legacy Award recipient is a humbling honor.
"I feel very honored to be selected as a Legacy Award recipient,” he said. “I have so many fond memories during my time at Sunnyvale. I enjoy knowing that when I am out and about, I hear ‘Coach Allen’ and get to catch up with a former student."
In the last decade, Allen’s battle with brain cancer has offered him perspective and purpose.
"My last 10 years battling brain cancer have taught me that God is keeping me around for a reason,” he said. “One of those reasons is that I often get to witness the impact I had in a student’s life."
Allen is married to wife Nicole. The couple have three children and one grandchild.