Haggerty to Take Track Helm

The last time there was a change at the helm of the Harvard track team was in 1950 when Bill McCurdy took over from Jasko Mikkola. Now, after 32 years of coaching, the 65-year-old McCurdy is retiring in favor of assistant coach Frank Haggerty '68.

Haggerty has been an integral part of the Harvard track team since he came to Harvard in 1964. During his four years on the squad, he was an outstanding hurdler and sprinter and immediately upon graduation he began coaching those events for his alma mater.

Haggerty started teaching at Belmont High in 1971 and left his post as Crimson assistant coach to lead the Belmont running corps until 1974. He returned to coaching and the Harvard track team in 1978 when he resumed his position as assistant to McCurdy, a post he has held since.

The job Haggerty is inheriting will differ a bit from the one McCurdy is leaving. Haggerty's official title will be Director of cross country and track, and he will be in charge of both women's and men's track squads.

Alignment

"My goal is to make a close alignment between men's and women's track." Haggerty explained yesterday. "But I very definitely want to maintain the integrity of both teams."

Haggerty was chosen from 13 applicants, including Jim Tuppeny, who runs the Penn relays. Fred Samara, an assistant coach at Princeton, and Ed Stowell, the Harvard weight-and field-event coach. The committee responsible for the decision consisted of Athletics Director John P Reardon Jr. '60. Richard J. Herrnstein, professor of Psychology, Dennis Fykes, Assistant Athletic Director Pat Miller, and the men's and women's track and cross country captains.

Notable Quotables

Haggerty does not seem awed by the thought of replacing his former mentor. "McCurdy makes big footsteps but I've got a pretty good shoesize myself," he said. Then, he joked, "And McCurdy thinks he's got the corner on good quotes."

McCurdy expressed satisfaction with the committee's decision. "I'm pleased that it was one of my two assistants," he said, adding. "The women will love him."

The general mood on both track teams is enthusiastic. Cross-country captain Adam Dixon, one of the members of the selection committee, commented. "It's important to have someone who is acquainted with being a student and an athlete here at Harvard. In addition, he knows a lot about the sport and we're all very fond of him."