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A LEGACY NOT SOON FORGOTTEN

A Legacy Not Soon Forgotten

STAFF

CBA Athletics | 12/30/2015

PHOTO CREDIT: CBA Athletics

As the year comes to a close, one of the most long-standing traditions at the Academy will too come to an end. Legendary distance running coach Mr. Tom Heath, who built a Cross country program known the nation over, will no longer be at the helm of CBA XC.



After announcing his retirement from coaching on December 15, there was naturally a flood of social media buzz and news coverage (a few of which appear below):

Legendary CBA cross-country coach Tom Heath has retired (NJ.com)
Tom Heath called "icon and best high school coach in NJ history" by peers following retirement (NJ.com)
Iconic CBA Coach Tom Heath Retires (Milesplit.com)
Heath Built Legendary Cross-country Program at CBA (The Hub)
They detail how Heath, a 1965 graduate, returned to his alma mater to coach a sport he himself did not participate in. Years later, he would cement a legacy as one of the greatest high school coaches of any sport in United States history; leading young men, year after year, to defend a young Academy's running tradition. His accomplishments as a coach would include a streak of 343 consecutive wins, a horse barn full of hardware, 21 NJ All-Group titles, and a lengthy list of athletes that went on to compete at the Division 1 level.



Yet Heath's greatest accomplishment lies in the mentality he stressed to his athletes, his students, and the Christian Brothers Academy community: to strive for victory in all things. His mainstay phrases included "Everything matters," "don't miss a day," and "life is a build-up." He stressed consistency, reflecting on past efforts, and always striving to be a champion. His leadership through action helped create Academy traditions like the Freshmen Run as well as CBA Athletics' commitment to above-and-beyond-caliber coaching.



His name has become synonymous with the Academy, with NJ cross country, and with victory for both. And as such, it will not soon be forgotten.
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