Former USTFCCCA President Gary Schwartz Passes

NOTE; This article is a combination of a press release from the Kansas athletic department and a past story from the USTFCCCA that first appeared on the website on December 13, 2017.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Former Kansas Track and Field member and head coach Gary Schwartz passed away on Monday, April 3 in Springdale, Arkansas. He was 79 years old.

“Our condolences go to the Schwartz family. Coach was a true Jayhawk, serving terms as an athlete and later as a coach. He instilled commitment and accountability in all the teams that he coached. He served as the president of the Coaches Association. He was a great leader and friend and served the University of Kansas in a multitude of ways.” ~ Kansas head coach Stanley Redwine

Schwartz was honored with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award six years ago at the 2017 USTFCCCA Convention.

The Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the Association and to the sports of cross country and track & field.

Schwartz held many roles in the Association over the years, perhaps most notably as the first president of the United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA), the predecessor to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). He spent four years in that role from 1993 to 1996, giving needed leadership.

Prior to taking over as USTCA president, Schwartz chaired the NCAA Division I Track Coaches Association for three years from 1991 to 1993.

And during his career, Schwartz was also very active in organizing cross country and track & field coaches during the early years of women’s athletics in the NCAA. He served as secretary and treasurer of the Women’s Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association (WICCCA) for five years from 1984 to 1988.

Schwartz coached for 34 years, of which included 21 years as a head coach and one award-winning season (He was named 1983 NCAA Division I National Outdoor Coach of the Year). He guided the women’s programs at Penn State and Tennessee, as well as both the men’s and women’s programs at Kansas.

Later on in his career, Schwartz spent time as an athletic administrator at Arkansas and was the technical director of the 2009 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.