St. Joe's Kevin Quinn retires after 49-year career as track coach

SAINT JOSEPH'S University track coach Kevin Quinn announced his retirement yesterday, ending a 49-year career at the school.

When asked what he'll miss most, he answered faster than any of the runners he ever coached.

"Saint Joseph's is an exceptional school and Saint Joseph's attracts exceptional people," Quinn said last night. "My fondest memories are the kids. I'm the youngest 74-year-old you'll ever see, and the reason is the great kids I've dealt with throughout the years."

Quinn became the head coach of the men's cross country and track and field teams in the fall of 1966. In 1985, he took over the women's programs as well.

"Kevin has been a valued treasure on Hawk Hill, not just because of the quantity and quality of his student-athletes and alumni, but because of the quality of the man," athletics director Don DiJulia said.

Quinn said his biggest achievement was "seeing kids do thing they didn't think they could do."

An example, he said, was Joe Genther, who set a record while winning the IC4A 1,000-yard run at the indoor championships in 1979.

"I'm getting goose bumps just remembering it," Quinn said. "He was such an exceptional kid and it was such a stunning upset. The week before he had placed second in the conference championships in the 1,000.

"[At the IC4A meet] he beat three Kenyans, all of whom went on to the Olympics. This kid from Monsignor Bonner stole the race."

Quinn, a St. Joe alum, was no slouch on the track himself.

He held records in the mile and 2-mile runs and was the first American to finish (third place) at the 1961 IC4A cross-country championships. He has been named to the university's track hall of fame and athletics hall of fame.

"My wife, my six children and coaching at Saint Joseph's have been the central part of my life for 49 years," he said. "I have been greatly blessed."