On Monday, May 2nd, Coach Jim Kavanagh announced his retirement from his position as the Director of Cross Country and Track and Field at the College of the Holy Cross after an incredible 52-season career.

Coach K, or “Kav,” as many of his athletes call him, is the longest-tenured head coach in the history of the College’s athletic programs. In a career spanning six decades, he has made immeasurable contributions to the track and cross-country programs and enriched the lives of the scores of young men and women who have been lucky enough to call him their coach.

There is nobody who better embodies the Jesuit principles of Holy Cross than Coach K. His mentorship, generosity, patience and care are evident in all of his actions. Above all else, he always strives to run a classy program, and instills in his athletes the values of good sportsmanship, accountability, and respect.

Coach K enjoyed a storied athletic career in his own right as a four-time All-American, three-time New England Champion, and competitor at the 1968 Olympic Trials. In addition to his achievements on the track, he was also a standout competitor on the Boston College football team, and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2018, Coach K was recognized on-field at a BC/Holy Cross football game as one of only two people to be inducted into both the Holy Cross and Boston College Athletic Halls of Fame.

To properly honor Coach K and celebrate his many achievements, we are requesting that the College rename the outdoor track facility in his honor. The track is currently named after Rev. Francis J. Hart, S.J., the creator of the intramural sports program at the College. There are a total of five facilities listed on the College’s athletics website that bear Rev. Hart’s name, including the main athletic building, basketball arena, ice hockey rink, and the track and the constituent turf field. While we respect and appreciate Rev. Hart’s contributions to the College, we think that it would only be appropriate to celebrate Coach Kavanagh’s career by renaming the track facility in his honor.