After over three decades of shaping lives in the classroom and on the field, David Rowe, a long-standing teacher and coach at Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI), is retiring at the end of the school year. Widely regarded as a master teacher and a cornerstone of the HCI community, Rowe leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, mentorship, and unwavering support for students. His contributions is the athletic realm were recognized with the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Associations Service Award.
“When Brian Grest (HCAA Student Activities Director) told me about the award, there was an emotional moment,” Rowe confessed with his trademark humility. “When you do the job that we do, we don’t do it for accolades or to be in the public eye. To be recognized like that when it wasn’t expected, it was emotional at first. Then it was a nice cherry on top of the sundae at the end of the career.”
Rowe began his teaching career in Pangman, Saskatchewan, where he served as head coach of the track and field team for four years. He also spent time in Weyburn, contributing to the football program there, including two seasons as offensive coordinator. His passion for coaching and education would ultimately bring him to Humboldt in 1997, where he joined HCI and became an integral figure in the school’s academic and athletic life.
At HCI, Rowe became closely associated with the Mohawks Football program. Starting as a running backs coach, he eventually led the team as head coach for three seasons and later served in various roles, including offensive coordinator, linebackers coach, and special teams coordinator. Under his guidance, the Mohawks secured three Provincial Championships, a testament to both his strategic acumen and his ability to inspire young athletes. He also represented the school and province by coaching in the Football Saskatchewan Senior Bowl in 1998 and 2001.
Beyond football, Rowe contributed to a wide range of athletic programs at HCI. He helped coach track and field for six seasons, guiding several athletes to provincial-level success, and supported wrestling and basketball programs in assistant and supervisory capacities. In 2023, he passed the role of offensive coordinator to a colleague, intentionally taking on a mentorship role to help develop future coaching leadership within the school.
Rowe’s impact also extends into the Humboldt community, where he has volunteered as an official in both baseball and hockey and currently serves as a city councillor. Known for his consistent encouragement of student achievement—in academics, athletics, and the arts—Rowe has long been one of the first to celebrate student successes and has been praised by peers for his integrity and commitment to others. It’s a legacy that gives back, he says.
“I definitely felt the students I coached were appreciative. Just as an example, we had to get a tree taken out of our yard, and four kids came over to help me put things back into place that were too heavy to carry by myself. Things like that along with the cards and thank yous definitely means a lot.”
As he prepares to retire, students, colleagues, and community members alike are reflecting on Rowe’s enduring influence. His career has left an indelible mark on generations of learners, and his legacy will continue to shape HCI for years to come.