Memorial Planned For Former York Cross Country Coach

ELMHURST, IL — Former York Community High School Boys Cross Country coach Joe Newton passed away on Dec. 9 in Arizona. Newton was well-known throughout Elmhurst for his coaching career. According to the district, Newton was 87 when he retired at the conclusion of the 2016 season after 60 years of coaching.

District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer has been in touch with the Newton family regarding a memorial celebration of Newton's life that is tentatively planned for January at York High School.

The district said details will follow once they have been determined.

According to a biography from the district, Newton was married with three children. He attended Parker High School on Chicago's South Side, where he won 12 varsity letters and was named a High School All-American in 1947. He attended Northwestern University, where he sprinted and received his degree in 1951 and a his Master's degree in 1952.

The district said Newton then entered the U.S. Army and for the next two years was Head Track Coach at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he coached three Olympic runners. He coached at York for 60 years, and during his tenure, his Cross Country and Track teams have won more than 2050 dual meets for a 98 percent
winning mark.

According to the district, over 150 of Newton’s athletes have gone to college on athletic scholarships worth more than $1 million: 11 have become All-Americans, 8 School Record Holders, 15 Team Captains, and 3 ran on National Championship Cross Country teams. One was Most Valuable Trackman at West Point and one graduated #1 in his class at the Naval Academy.

The district said Newton also authored four books, "The Long Green Line," "Motivation - The Name of the
Game," "Running To the Top of the Mountain," and "Coaching Cross Country Successfully." He was Director of the Keebler International Track Meet for 25 years; National Chairman for the National High School Coaches Association from 1981-1987; was named Coach of the Year 22 times by the Northern Illinois Track Coaches Association; and named Coach of the year 20 times by the Illinois Coaches Association. Newton was the Director of the Annual Chicago MacGregor All Stars Track Clinic for 25 years.

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