Longtime Boston University XC Coach Bruce Lehane Passes Away From ALS

Longtime Boston University XC Coach Bruce Lehane Passes Away From ALS

Longtime Boston University cross country coach Bruce Lehane passed away from ALS on Saturday.

Sep 23, 2017 by Johanna Gretschel
Longtime Boston University XC Coach Bruce Lehane Passes Away From ALS
Longtime Boston University head cross country coach Bruce Lehane passed away on Saturday from ALS at the age of 68, according to a press release issued by the institution.

Lehane led the Terriers since 1982 and in his tenure, coached 50 All-Americans, two NCAA DI national champions, and two Olympians, as well as over 20 IC4A/ECAC individual champions. He was inducted into the Boston University athletic hall of fame this spring. BU named its annual indoor track event, the Scarlet and White Invitational, after Lehane in February. He retired from his position after the 2016-2017 school year.

"Bruce's passing is devastating to all of us who had the privilege to call him our coach or colleague," director of athletics Drew Marrochello said. "He is an icon in coaching and his long and distinguished career of accomplishments speaks for itself. And that said, his athletes -- and there are hundreds if not thousands of them -- absolutely revered Bruce because they knew he truly cared even more about their well-being and potential as people than he did about their running time. He was a terrific and beautiful person, and our entire BU community extends our sympathies to his wife, Lesley, their sons Blaize, Elliot and Aidan, and the rest of their family."

From the BU press release:

Per the family's request, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Boston University Friends of Track & Field and Cross Country, 285 Babcock Street, Boston, MA 02215. Please call 617-353-3008 with questions. Information regarding a memorial service for Bruce will be forthcoming.