Athletic Department Mourns Passing Of Fred Hardy
12/18/2005 | Women's Track & Field
Dec. 16, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Legendary track & field coach and University of Richmond Hall Of Fame member, Fred Hardy passed away Friday afternoon at the Windsor Nursing Home in Richmond at the age of 89.
Hardy coached track & field and cross country for 35 years (1950-1985) at the University of Richmond and established an elite program that succeeded on the collegiate and international level. He was known by his student-athletes as a great teacher that elevated every athlete beyond their initial potential.
During his years at Richmond, Hardy coached 45 All-Americans on the men's side and 20 All-Americans on the women's side. He also guided two Kenya Olympic team members (Edwin Koech, who took sixth in the 1984 Olympic Games in the 800 meters and Sos Bitok, who took sixth in the 10,000 at the 1984 Olympic Games), along with three NCAA national champions and one AIAW Champion.
Hardy guided Edwin Koech to the NCAA indoor 1,000-yard run and his two-mile relay team won the NCAA indoor event in 1983. He also guided a two-mile relay team to a world record (7:23.09) for an 11-lap track in the Milrose Games and Josephine White to the AIAW 1,000-meter National Title (2:43.33). White went on to establish the women's NCAA Indoor Record in the Mile (4:31.12).
Longtime friend and assistant coach Bill Jordan gave these remarks: "Coach Hardy gave his best for the University of Richmond as an associate professor and track & field coach from 1950 until 1985. His accomplishments as well as his efforts were outstanding. Coach was truly a remarkable man - he not only reached for, but indeed grasped the highest level of athletic achievement in track and field. There will never be another like him, and few indeed who can even remotely approach his accomplishments.
"He had walk-ons winning conference championships, walk-ons qualifying for the NCAA Championships, walk-ons making the US team and competing abroad. Others won National Championships and several competed in the Olympics. At the time of his retirement, the University of Richmond's track & field records surpassed those of any other college or university in the state of Virginia. He was my mentor, confidant and close friend for over 55 years. Needless to say, I will miss him."
Hired during the summer of 1950, Hardy retired from the University of Richmond on August 20, 1985. Before coming to Richmond, Hardy coached at John Marshall High School, where he had set the Virginia state high school record in the mile (4:33.3) in 1936.
Hardy received both his bachelor's degree and master's degree from the University of North Carolina. He was one of the Tar Heels' top distance runners and served as team captain during the 1940 season.
A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, December 19, at 4 p.m. in St. Bridgets Catholic Church, 6006 Three Chopt Road in Richmond, Virginia 23266. Phone: 804-282-9511. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Fred Hardy Scholarship Fund, Department of Athletics, University of Richmond 23173.