Legendary Western PA High School Track & Field Coach Ed Helbig Dies

BALDWIN, PA — Ed Helbig, a legendary figure in Western Pennsylvania track and field and cross country events for five decades, died Tuesday. He was 72.

Helbig had been battling cancer.

Helbig was associated with the Baldwin High School track team for nearly 50 years. He was head coach for 30 years and was an assistant coach for 19 years prior to that.

His coaching acumen resulted in two WPIAL championships, five WPIAL runner-ups, 38 section championships, 75 individual WPIAL champions and 15 individual PIAA champions. In February, he was inducted into the Baldwin Sports Hall of Fame.

Helbig also headed the Tri-State Track Coaches Association and was chairman of the WPIAL cross country and track and field committees.

A WPIAL post on X said the organization was heartbroken to learn of Helbig's death.

"Ed was the kindest human and a legend in the sport, coaching Baldwin for 49 years and chairing our committee," the post stated. "Our condolences to his family and all who he had impacted over his life."

Helbig also was a retired social studies teacher.

Funeral services are private.