Long Time Women's Coach
Chuck Foote
Cal Poly/Pomona
to retire
Eighteen Year Veteran Coach
Steps down

LONGTIME TRACK COACH CHUCK FOOTE TO RETIRE

by Dawn Staab, Ayala HS
C uck Foote, longtime club coach and Cal Poly Pomona Girl’s Cross Country Coach is set to retire May 30th.

Chuck spent 28 years as a Police Officer with the L.A.P.D. He co-founded the largest law enforcement relay race in the world, the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup, now with more than 5000 competitors.

For the past 18 years, he has been the coach of Cal Poly Pomona’s Girl’s Cross Country Team. Now, along with Jim Sackett, he is set to retire.

What many people don’t know is that he also coached club track. In 1987, he began a grassroots team known as the San Gabriel Valley Track Club. It’s members met every Wednesday night at Cal Poly Pomona for some killer track workouts. Before he was able to get the lights turned on in the winter, he would drag along 4 flood lights and post them at every turn so the runners could see their splits.

The team attracted all types, young and old, from 5K to triathlon. I have had the honor of being coached by him from the beginning, and he was in fact my inspiration for becoming a coach over at Ayala HS. In the past 20 years of Wednesday nights, there have been many who have graced the track. State Distance standout Christy Adamyk started coming when she was in 6th grade. Mohammed Trafeh came by for a workout at Christmas time and some pizza afterwards. Marathon runner Teresa Velarde (husband Mario - longtime Roadrunner’s coach), continues to be trained by Chuck for the Olympic Marathon Trials. Jim Sorenson (US Master’s 800 Record 1:51.57) stops by when he’s in town. Future sensation Rachel Shapiro who at 10 years old , has run 5:35 in the 1500, can also be seen Wednesdays. Chuck is also one of the L.A. Marathon’s main coaches (not to mention numerous other races).

The team has been blessed with numerous success stories, but you’ll never hear them from this humble man. He is probably the most unselfish yet knowledgeable runner you will ever meet. Chuck Foote came out rain or shine, every Wednesday night, whether there were three runners or 33. He charged a nominal $10 a month and gave that money to his girl’s cross country program. He continues to compete Master’s, and is a force on the local road race scene.

He will be greatly missed. Those of you that have known Chuck, feel free to stop by the last workout: Wednesday May 30th, 6:00pm and then afterwards we will move the workout to Graziano’s Pizza in Phillips Ranch/Pomona - (909) 623-5060 2 Village Loop Rd., for some reminiscing.

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