December 12, 2006
LONG TERM CROSS COUNTRY COACH RETIRES FROM BROCK
After 10 years at the helm of the Brock University men's and women's cross country program and 63 years involved in the sport of running Bill Payne is retiring at the age of 77.
"Bill has left his mark on Badger Athletics through his commitment and enthusiasm for advancing cross country running at Brock and in the community," said Director of Athletics Dr. Lorne Adams. "His dedication and longevity indicate how passionate he is about his chosen sport. He has developed many top calibre athletes and we are indebted to him for all he has done."
Payne, a native of England, began his running career in 1944. In his early 20's, the accomplished international runner made it to the finals of England's 1952 Olympic Trials in the 800-metre race. He also represented his country in numerous track and cross-country meets, taking weekend leave from his duties in the Royal Air Force.
He obtained his first coaching certification in 1957 and senior coaching certification in 1961. In his career, he has coached four English high school runners to the Olympic Games, several more to the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European championships and two more to junior world records. His athletes have won 53 British Championships, some in championship record times. He also accompanied a British team to the first ever EUROPA CUP in 1965.
Payne came to Canada in 1973, where he joined the North York Track Club. In 1980 his company transferred him to Houston where he coached in the Houston high schools before returning back to Canada in 1988. In 1988 he became involved in development of the sport as President of the newly formed Niagara Olympic Club and the construction of the new West Park track.
In 1998, he was hired by Brock University as the head cross country coach. In his first couple years the teams had a dozen combined runners and through his enthusiastic effort as a promoter of running the past two seasons the team has grown to a roster size of 40. While at Brock, he has developed such standout runners as Donna Mae Robbins, a five-time runner of the Year at Brock and former CIS medalist as well as current runners Emily Allen and Tim McClure who have competed the past two years at the World Triathlon Championships.
For many years he has also been involved in the track and field Administration. From 1963-73 he was the Coaching Secretary of the Surrey County, the strongest British County. He is also the former secretary of the Ontario Coaching Council. In 2002 he was named the 3M Community Coach of the Year.
(Source: Shawn Whiteley, Brock University Sport Information & Marketing Coordinator)
"Bill has left his mark on Badger Athletics through his commitment and enthusiasm for advancing cross country running at Brock and in the community," said Director of Athletics Dr. Lorne Adams. "His dedication and longevity indicate how passionate he is about his chosen sport. He has developed many top calibre athletes and we are indebted to him for all he has done."
Payne, a native of England, began his running career in 1944. In his early 20's, the accomplished international runner made it to the finals of England's 1952 Olympic Trials in the 800-metre race. He also represented his country in numerous track and cross-country meets, taking weekend leave from his duties in the Royal Air Force.
He obtained his first coaching certification in 1957 and senior coaching certification in 1961. In his career, he has coached four English high school runners to the Olympic Games, several more to the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European championships and two more to junior world records. His athletes have won 53 British Championships, some in championship record times. He also accompanied a British team to the first ever EUROPA CUP in 1965.
Payne came to Canada in 1973, where he joined the North York Track Club. In 1980 his company transferred him to Houston where he coached in the Houston high schools before returning back to Canada in 1988. In 1988 he became involved in development of the sport as President of the newly formed Niagara Olympic Club and the construction of the new West Park track.
In 1998, he was hired by Brock University as the head cross country coach. In his first couple years the teams had a dozen combined runners and through his enthusiastic effort as a promoter of running the past two seasons the team has grown to a roster size of 40. While at Brock, he has developed such standout runners as Donna Mae Robbins, a five-time runner of the Year at Brock and former CIS medalist as well as current runners Emily Allen and Tim McClure who have competed the past two years at the World Triathlon Championships.
For many years he has also been involved in the track and field Administration. From 1963-73 he was the Coaching Secretary of the Surrey County, the strongest British County. He is also the former secretary of the Ontario Coaching Council. In 2002 he was named the 3M Community Coach of the Year.
(Source: Shawn Whiteley, Brock University Sport Information & Marketing Coordinator)