After 50 years, Ryan track coach Ulmer to step down

Ed Ulmer's longtime dedication as a track and field coach was witnessed on many dank and bitter winter days.

Late on a Friday afternoon, Ulmer would leave Archbishop Ryan with the girls' team and make the rush-hour trip to Lehigh University for an indoor meet. He didn't return home until 12:30 or 1 a.m.

Then, on about four hours of sleep, he would drive back in the dark to Ryan, gather the members of the boys' squad, and return to Lehigh for the same. And he happily did it every other weekend.

Ulmer has been a fixture as a cross-country and indoor and outdoor track and field coach in the Philadelphia area and beyond for the last 52 years.

The impressive run, which began as an assistant at the old Cardinal Dougherty in the mid-1960s, is in its final stages. The 73-year-old is retiring at the end of this season.

"I told the kids recently, 'I'm finally going to graduate with the seniors,' " Ulmer said with a laugh.

Ulmer, who retired as a social studies teacher at Ryan six years ago, is in his 50th season in charge at Ryan. He took over the boys' squad in 1966 and began directing the girls' team in 1980.

"It keeps you young," Ulmer said. "I never looked at teaching or coaching as a job. It's something I love. But it's time for me to step aside and spend more time with my family. They've sacrificed a lot for me over the years."

Ulmer has guided the Ryan boys' and girls' teams to a combined 29 Catholic League championships in cross-country and indoor and outdoor track and field. He won five boys' cross-country titles in the 1970s.

He led the Ryan boys to three straight Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association indoor titles from 1976 to 1978.

"He really pays attention to the details," said Charlie Dirvin, who coaches the hurdlers at Catholic League rival Bishop McDevitt. "He knows the importance of the little things when it comes to being successful. And he can coach any event."

When Ulmer arrived at Cardinal Dougherty in 1956, his plan was to play baseball.

That changed when his homeroom teacher suggested he give cross-country a shot. "That's how it all started," Ulmer said. "From there, the coach, Jack St. Clair, took me under his wing."

Ulmer, who grew up near 13th and Allegheny, covered the 2.3-mile league course at 33rd and Dauphin in 13 minutes, 32 seconds. He was a distance runner in indoor and outdoor track.

St. Clair, who guided the Cardinals to eight Catholic League and city crowns, helped Ulmer get a cross-country scholarship to St. Joseph's. He also ran track for the Hawks.

Of St. Clair, a father of 12 who went on to coach at Temple, Ulmer said, "Without him, I wouldn't be where I am. He helped me as a runner, student, and person."

Ulmer will make his last coaching appearance at the 122nd Penn Relays, the world's oldest track and field meet, this week.

"It's an exciting event for the kids," he said. "They can proudly say years from now that they participated in the Penn Relays."

Ulmer and his wife, Mary Ann, who was an elementary schoolteacher for 37 years, will celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary in June. They have five children and 13 grandchildren.

"My wife is really the saint of the family," Ulmer said. "I'm hardly home when I'm coaching, especially during indoor season. It can put a strain on a relationship."

Ulmer, of Feasterville, will say his last goodbye at Ryan's season-ending banquet on May 31.

"I'll miss the kids and my interaction with them the most," he said. "I consider them to be part of my family. It's a special kind of closeness."

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