Lehane’s legacy remains on track
APPRECIATION
Franklin Park was smothered with leaves as event organizer John McGrath and then-Boston Parks & Recreation official Bill Linehan traversed the various winding paths in preparation for the 20th annual World Cross Country Championships that Boston was set to host in the spring of 1992. It was still autumn, and in order to create a new and IAAF-sanctioned course from scratch, the two knew they needed a Hawkeye of the Wilderness, someone who knew the local hill-and-dale like no other.
McGrath and Linehan required the support of a tall, lanky runner who often sported a worn baseball cap and came replete with the appropriate knowledge and an agreeable personality to deal with any and all obstacles that might arise. They needed Boston University coach Bruce Lehane.
The event, which took place March 21, 1992, proved a resounding success despite chilly temperatures and a snowy, mud-encrusted course. Amid the crowd of spectators, keeping his customary low profile, was Lehane, marveling at his cocreation and enjoying the entire scene.
Lehane, who died Saturday of ALS at the age of 68, leaves behind a running footprint that trekked from BU well across the continent. In more than 35 years of coaching at BU, Lehane, a native of South Boston and graduate of Boston English High, guided the careers of 50 All-Americans, two national champions and two Olympians. One of his BU pupils, Are Nakkim, who peaked at No. 6 in the world in the 10,000 meters, still holds a Norwegian national record in the race.
Lehane was a two-time All-American himself at Boston State, where his coach was the legendary Bill Squires. The two later co-authored a book entitled, “Speed with Endurance,” a training manual for distance runners.
“Bruce was a very different type of athlete, very solemn, very straight-laced, but a very competitive athlete,” said Squires, 85. “He was a great teammate. He was the type of person who would step back and let others take the limelight. It is so sad that he has passed at such a young age. I know he’s gone straight up to heaven. I was very fortunate to have had him as an athlete, a captain and as a friend.”
Terriers legend and 1968 Olympic 400 intermediate hurdles gold medalist David Hemery of Great Britain, who later coached at his alma mater, hired Lehane as an assistant. Hemery called Lehane “a lovely man and a brilliant coach.”
“He made every athlete feel that he had their best interests at heart,” Hemery said. “When I employed him, more than 35 years ago, he said, ‘I want every athlete I coach to leave the university still wanting to run.’ He was an amazing role model as he slowly deteriorated with ALS. He managed to retain his sense of humor and warmth of friendship. I and many others who knew him loved the guy. He had courage, caring and will be greatly missed as an outstanding coach and human being.”
Former BU star and current BAA Elite Running Club member Katie Matthews said Lehane brought more to the game than mere coaching.
“He took on the role of a life coach, and all of the athletes that ran for him appreciated that and felt the same way,” Matthews said. “He taught us that running wasn’t the most important thing. The relationships and goals that you set were the things that you will hang on to.’’
Retired Northeastern University track coach Irwin Cohen, now the commissioner of the NEIAAA, which governs collegiate cross country as well as indoor and outdoor track meets, described Lehane as an “incredible person.”
“He was just an easy going guy,” Cohen said. “He never lost his temper. A good guy. He went through this last part of his life with great dignity. He was an incredible person. We’ll miss him. He was way too young.”
Said Boston College Hall of Fame miler Jack McDonald, who was a competitor, teammate, colleague and friend: “His is a great loss, and heaven is now an even better place.”