Corrigan continues success with Crusaders
Notre Dame-GP coach’s teams went a combined 47-1
Ronald Reagan was President of the United States in 1986 when Art Corrigan started his career as the cross country coach at Notre Dame High School of Green Pond. Also, in 1986 …
IBM unveiled the first laptop computer that year.
Crocodile Dundee and Top Gun (the original) were in the movie theatres.
The average cost of a new home was $89,430.
Parachute pants and Swatch watches were the style.
A whole lot has changed over the course of five decades. Corrigan, at 81 years old, coaching at Notre Dame-Green Pond remains a constant.
His program in 2024 was as successful as ever. Corrigan’s Crusaders compiled a 47-1 combined record in Colonial League action, with the girls’ team again going 24-0 and the boys’ squad finishing at 23-1. His girls earned league and District 11 Class 1A team titles, then placed second at the PIAA championships in Hershey after claiming back-toback state crowns in 2021 and 2022.
Last year, Corrigan reached the 700-win milestone as the program’s boys coach. Then, a week later, he hit 700 wins as the girls coach. He is now nearing 1,500 total wins.
“Oh my God, yes,” Corrigan, who is assisted by Gene Decker, said when asked if he enjoys coaching cross country as much now as when he started out. “Even more so, I’d say.
“This year, my girls team was the best one I’ve ever coached, even though we were second in the state and the previous two teams won state titles. My 1998 team was unbelievable but this one was better.”
While the season went well, the year has been tough for Corrigan.
In September, he lost his wife of 51 years, Kathleen, an Easton High graduate. Corrigan, who retired in 2004 from Mack Printing after 42 years, still lives in Palmer Township. He has a daughter and four grandchildren.
“It hasn’t been easy,” Corrigan said. “Luckily, I’ve stayed active, and I have my cross country and track teams to coach. I still love it and I want to keep going until my health fails me.”
To say Corrigan is respected by his peers – for his accomplishments and sportsmanship – would be an understatement.
In a league (and district) full of longtime cross country coaches, Corrigan stands out. He started the St. Jane’s AAU program in the late 1970s, then was an assistant coach at both Nazareth and Notre Dame before being promoted to head coach in 1986.
In 1998, Corrigan accepted the position of head track and field coach.
“I have known Coach Corrigan for 21 years,” said Michael Browne, the cross country coach at rival Wilson. “His programs have had success since I have known him. He’s always a competitor but always cheering on other schools’ athletes when he’s not in competition.
“I have a ton of respect for Art and what he has done for his school and the league.”