Head Coach Ed Fry

E-mail Coach Fry

Ed Fry is synonymous with cross country and track and field at IUP.

This is Fry’s 43rd year coaching the men at IUP, his 30th with women’s track and field and 29th with women’s cross country.  He helped initiate the women’s cross country and track and field programs at the university.

Both programs have flourished under Fry’s guidance.  The cross country program is one of the best in the country, with IUP runners often found on the end-of-the-year All-America lists.  When their college careers are over, many continue to run.  IUP graduates are often among the top finishers in marathons and other distance events around the country.

The same things can be said for the track and field program.  IUP athletes annually compete for honors on the conference, regional and national levels.

Fry has been named the PSAC Coach of the Year three times in the past seven years, most recently in 2005 when he led the IUP women to a 10th place finish at the NCAA Division II cross country national meet, and four times overall.  He was also the PSAC Coach of the Year in 1990, 2001 and 2002.

In the past seven years, IUP has boasted three of the top women’s cross country runners in the nation.  Sara Raschiatore was a two-time PSAC Athlete of the Year and All-American, placing as high as fourth in 2001. 

Mindy Sawtelle placed second at nationals in 2003, the highest ever finish by a woman from the East Region.  She was a three-time All-American and was twice selected the PSAC Athlete of the Year.

In 2006, Nicole Blaesser won the East Region title and was seventh at the NCAA championships.

Fry’s influence can be found in the number of cross country and track and field athletes who have been inducted into the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame since its inception in 1996.  Included in that illustrious group are Don Slusser, Tammy Donnelly, Elisa Benzoni, Peggy Ruffennach, Kim Schneider, John Elliott, Ed Phipps, Barry Warren, Dave Maudie and Bob Babiak.

An outstanding runner himself, Fry finished with a personal best placement of 17th in the New York Marathon.  He set an American age group record in the 10-mile run, outperforming competitors from 33 countries to win the Submasters Olympic 10,000 meter race in Toronto in 1975.

Originally from McKeesport, Fry is a graduate of DePaul University.  He teaches piano, introduction to music, music theory and music theory skills in the IUP Department of Music.

Fry and his wife, Betsy, have two sons, Christopher and Douglas.

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