The Buccaneer’s Jake Lee will be playing football next year at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The standout Buc athlete signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, with his parents, brothers and coaches looking on.

“We congratulate Jake on signing to play at a Division II school,” BEA Activities Director Rob Norman, and Lee’s uncle, said at the ceremony.

Lee has been an integral part of the Buccaneer football team the last several years. This past season he had 106 tackles, two blocked kicks, and one interception, sack, and fumble recovery.

He was also named All-conference, All-Area, All-State, and Best Conference and team offensive lineman.

“Jake has been an excellent player, and worked very hard for his success,” Buc Head Football Coach Randy Kuechenmeister said. “We were fortunate to have him in our program.”

The coach says Lee is the kind of player the coaches never had to ask to do things, he just did them.

“He is a good all-around kid,” Kuechenmeister says. “He enjoys being a part of this school, being a part of it all. You talk about ‘Buc Pride,’ he’s got it.”

Lee says he just made up his mind to choose Augustana last Sunday.

“I had narrowed it down to a couple – including Southwest Minnesota State, Winona State and Concordia St. Paul,” he says. “But I liked the school and the football program and the coach the best at Augustana.”

The Augies will have Lee play at the three technique position, between guard and tackle.

“It is not a nose guard,” Lee says. “It is like a faster defensive tackle.”

Lee not only excelled in football, he has been all-conference and/or a state qualifier in wrestling, baseball and track. He holds a 32-8 record in wrestling and has been ranked in state all this season.

One of Lee’s fondest memories of his football career at BEA was during his sophomore season, when the team went 9-3 and qualified for state.

His junior year the team was 8-2 and South Central Conference champs, something that had not happened since the early 1970s.

Lee is the son of Dr. William Lee, and Donna Lee, both of Blue Earth. He has two brothers, Nick and Sam, both students at BEA High.

“I am pleased Jake has selected Augustana,” Coach Kuechenmeister said. “I am sure he will do well there. They are lucky to have him.”