William W. McCurdy

William W. "Bill" McCurdy, the head coach of Harvard men's track and field and cross country from 1952 until 1982, died on Thursday, March 11, at his home in Harvard, Mass. He was 82.

McCurdy's career in Cambridge began in 1950. In his first two years at Harvard he was an assistant under Jaakko Mikkola and, upon Mikkola's retirement in 1952, was named head coach of men's cross country and indoor and outdoor track.

As Harvard's cross country mentor, McCurdy compiled a 201-62-1 record with 10 Greater Boston Championship (GBC) titles and six Heptagonal (Heps) crowns. In indoor track, he finished with a 132-30 mark, a dozen GBC titles and eight Heps crowns. And in outdoor track, his teams yielded a 112-26-1 record with an amazing 15 GBC crowns and five more Heptagonal titles.

Harvard named its outdoor track in McCurdy's honor in 1985, and in 1992, the Harvard Alumni Association presented him with the Harvard Medal for his extraordinary service to the University.

"He defined the word 'legend,'" said present director of cross country and track and field Frank Haggerty '68, who ran for McCurdy for three seasons, was an assistant coach under him, and succeeded him as head coach. "Bill was a legend while he was coaching, and not only to the kids who were at Harvard, but also to opponents and fellow coaches. Everyone had fabulous respect for him. To this day, many coaches remember him fondly and speak of him as one of the true pioneers of the sport. He was inspirational. You saw him out there in his sweats ready to go, and you couldn't help but be ready, too."

Born May 1, 1916, in Bolinas, Calif., McCurdy graduated from Stanford University in 1937. There, he was an outstanding quarter- and half-miler, and later went on to captain the San Francisco Olympic team, helping them win the 1939 AAU meet. McCurdy spent two years in the business world before entering the Army. During World War II, he held several assignments, including director of the First Army Instructors' School.

McCurdy is survived by his wife, Jince, five children, and numerous grandchildren.

The Friends of Harvard Track will hold a Bill McCurdy Celebration on Saturday, April 17, in the Murr Center's Hall of History, following the Harvard-Yale track and field meet that day at McCurdy Track. Call (617) 495-3535 for details.