Joe Newton
York High School
Impact Statement
“That’s the important thing in coaching—it isn’t the system you’ve got, it’s your relationship with your athletes.”
-Joe Newton
Biography
“Joe Newton has served as a model of commitment and excellence to coaches and athletes for nearly a half century,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Joe Newton as the first ever two-time winner of a National High School Coaches Association Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year award.”
Newton is widely recognized as the most accomplished prep cross country coach, and one of the most successful high school coaches of any sport in U.S. history. He began his career 60 years ago at York High in 1956, and his teams have won 28 Cross Country state championships and one Track & Field State Championship. York also finished second on 10 other occasions. Newton’s teams regularly hold more than 100 athletes on roster, as cross country has become a tradition at York. Coach Newton had 44 podium finishes in 57 years.
With dozens of coach of the year awards to his credit since 1954. In addition, Newton was the first high school coach to be selected as a coach for the US Men’s Track & Field Olympic Team in 1988. He served as the assistant manager for the marathon runners in Souel, South Korea.
Newton, known affectionately as the The Long Green Line, coached until 2016 and was a vital part of York and cross country history. As a runner himself, Newton was a decorated sprinter. He attended Northwestern University and graduated with his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in 1951 and 1952 respectively.
Photos
