Rocky Mountain College Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame
Paul “Duke” Edwards is a native of Butte, Mont. He graduated with a degree in biology and a minor in history with an emphasis in education from Rocky Mountain College in 1966.
While at Rocky, Edwards played four years of golf for the Battlin’ Bears.
After graduation, Edwards embarked on a 31-year teaching and coaching career. In Reed Point, Mont., he taught biology and history as well as coaching all sports. Five years later, he moved to Columbus where he would finish his career as an educator and coach.
At Columbus, Edwards served as the school’s guidance counselor and head golf coach. During his 15 years leading the program, his teams won five Class B state golf championships (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997).
As an assistant football coach and defensive coordinator, he helped lead Columbus to three state championships in 1976, 1980 and 1992. During that time, the Cougars placed second during the 1975 and 1993 campaigns.
While Edwards served as the assistant boys’ basketball coach, Columbus won the state title in 1977, and placed second in 1976. In all, Edwards coached in nine state championship games.
Edwards is highly respected amongst his coaching peers and the head coaches he served under for his knowledge, loyalty, and rapport with student-athletes.
This summer Edwards will enter the Montana Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He is also the fourth Rocky graduate from Columbus, Mont., to be inducted into the Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame in the last five years. They include: Bill Hogan (2015), Paul Barta (2016), Dennis Gerke (2018), and Edwards (2019).
