Legendary York coach Newton talks about his decision to retire at the end of the 2016 cross-country season; praises co-coach Charlie Kern Sr.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
Sebastian Coe is one of the most famous and successful runners in the history of the sport. Britain’s Coe won back-to-back gold medals in the 1,500 meters in 1980 and 1984 and also set eight outdoor world records during his career.
And naturally, legendary York boys cross-country coach Joe Newton hosted Coe at his Oak Brook home when Coe was preparing for the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
“He stayed at my house on his way to Los Angeles from London. My wife still calls him my British son,” said Newton last week from his home in Arizona. “He had such a profound effect on me and my teams. I asked him at the dinner table what it was like to win in the Olympics. He told me when you get to that level the mind is four times more important than the physical part. He had such a profound influence on me with training methods. I learned so much from him.”
Newton plans on delivering powerful messages along those same lines to his Dukes’ team when he returns to Elmhurst in October during the IHSA boys cross-country state series. York is in search of its record 29th state title during Newton’s incredible coaching run.
It was announced recently that Newton is going to retire as York’s boys cross-country coach at the end of the season. Due to several medical issues that make traveling difficult, Newton will remain in Arizona until the October postseason push when he will return to Elmhurst. Charlie Kern Sr., Newton’s assistant in recent years, will coach the team in Newton’s absence and be the co-head coach of the program with Newton. This is Newton’s 60th year associated with York High School and his 56th as the boys cross-country coach.
The 87-year-old Newton took time last week to talk to the Independent about his decision and the upcoming season.
“It was a hard decision to make,” he said. “What made it easier is I’m in a lot of pain. When you are coaching you have to stay on your feet all day. I can’t do that. It’s embarrassing having to sit in a chair while the kids are out there busting their butts. It didn’t make a lot of sense. I’m going to come back from Arizona the last two weeks of the season and get the guys mentally ready for the state meet. That’s going to be my final straw. It was time. This is my 60th year at York and my 56th as head coach. I’ve put in a lifetime there. It’s been a long run. I’ve had so much fun and made a lot of friends. I’m looking forward to a great final season.”
Newton’s pain he said stems from a decades-old weightlifting injury he sustained during a workout at York. “I was bench pressing and something pulled,” he said. “I never went to the doctor for it. The last couple years it’s been pure pain standing. Like I said, it doesn’t look good when the coach is sitting and the boys are out there running.”
Newton said the weightlifting incident in question stemmed from his competitive nature. “There was another teacher there doing it and I thought I was tougher than the other guy,” he said. “Whatever he benched and I don’t know what the heck it was, I said put it up there for me. I got the weight up but then I heard something pop. I need to get it taken care of. When I do that I’m going to feel like I’m 45 years old instead of 87. I feel great other than the pain.”
Newton added that arthritis has complicated the injury. “It’s very hard to get around,” he said. “But I have another few months here to get better and rest and get ready for the last two weeks of the season.”
Newton stressed the team is in excellent hands with Kern Sr. at the helm. “Charlie Kern was a state champion in the mile in New York state and ran on scholarship at Kentucky,” Newton pointed out. “He ran close to a four-minute mile. Charlie is very competent and knows what the hell he’s doing. He’s a great guy. The team is in great hands with Charlie.”
Newton also is optimistic about this year’s York squad, which is headlined by Kern’s son, Charlie Jr., who finished second in the state last year as a sophomore.
“I think the boys will be pretty darned tough,” Newton said. “There are six boys back from the state meet and now they have another year of experience. The first time you go down to the state meet you make a mountain out of a mole hill and you think you are running in the Olympics. The second year you go back and run and you do a lot better. I think Charlie Kern Jr. has a chance to win the state. He finished eighth as a freshman and second as a sophomore. This is a kid that ran 51-flat in the quarter mile. He has great leg speed. I look forward to him being great.”
And Newton is looking forward to seeing his final season unfold. “I enjoy what I do,” he said. “I was able to do what I love and have good success. Life has been very good to me. I cannot complain. The team is in great hands with Charlie. I’m going to come back and get them mentally in shape to run in the state meet. There’s a saying, ‘If you think you can, you might. If you think you can’t, you definitely won’t.’ These guys have to believe in themselves that they can.”
York, which finished fourth in the state a year ago (tied for third but finished fourth on tiebreaker), opens the 2016 season August 30 at home against Glenbard West at Berens Park. The Dukes again will compete in the Peoria Notre Dame and Palatine invitationals.
