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PROVO — One of the top coaches in BYU athletics history hung up the whistle Friday.
Women’s cross country Patrick Shane, who has been in Provo since the NCAA first sponsored women’s sports in 1981, announced his retirement after 36 years at the school.
“I feel now is the right time to retire,” said Shane, a 1970 BYU graduate who earned a master’s degree in physical education in 1972. “I’m thankful for the opportunity BYU has given me to coach and mentor hundreds of the world’s most amazing women student-athletes. I want to express my appreciation to all the coaches, staff and athletes I’ve had the pleasure to work with through the years.
"I also want to express my love and gratitude to my wife Karey and our children who have been understanding of my time away from home while I’ve pursued my dream job at BYU. I’m looking forward to spending more time with them and our grandchildren and seeing what the Lord has in mind for us as we move into this new chapter of our lives.”
Shane was hired to lead the women’s cross country team in 1980, and led the Cougars to national championships in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2002, with three other runner-up finishes. His harriers qualified for the NCAA championship meet 31 times, with 24 conference championships and 16 regional titles.
The coach of 30 All-Americans was named NCAA cross country coach of the year three times and took District VII coach of the year nine times.
I feel now is the right time to retire. I’m thankful for the opportunity BYU has given me to coach and mentor hundreds of the world’s most amazing women student-athletes. I want to express my appreciation to all the coaches, staff and athletes I’ve had the pleasure to work with through the years.
–BYU women's cross country coach Patrick Shane
He also spent time as a middle distance coach with the BYU track team, coaching 66 All-Americans and serving as head women’s track and field coach from 2011-2013.
“Patrick has enjoyed incredible success in his long and industrious tenure at BYU,” BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said. “He has touched the lives of hundreds of student-athletes and will long be remembered as one of the great coaches in BYU history.”
Shane also spent time on the international circuit, coaching six Olympians and leading the USA National Women’s Team to the 1999 world championships.
“Coach Shane has served BYU tirelessly for nearly four decades,” BYU head track coach Ed Eyestone said. “He leaves a legacy of All-Americans, national champions and Olympians.
“His legacy will continue to influence the BYU track and cross country programs for years to come.”
