“RIP”: Track & Field Community Pays Heartfelt Tribute as North Central College Hall of Fame Coach Passes at 83

Excitement for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo quickly turned into heartbreak for the track and field community. Widely celebrated as one of the greatest cross-country and track coaches of all time, Al Carius had shaped countless athletes through his “Run for fun and Personal bests” philosophy. After a courageous battle with cancer, Allen B. “Al” Carius H’06 passed away at 83, leaving behind an unmatched legacy in collegiate running. His influence, his passion, and his unwavering love for the sport will forever echo on the tracks he once called home. North Central College athletics broke the news as they honored the man who reshaped their program for more than five decades, making it a powerhouse in the sport.

Born in Morton, Illinois, Al Carius was a champion long before he embraced the mantle of coaching. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he claimed back-to-back Big Ten Cross-Country titles in 1962 and 1963 before spending two years as a graduate assistant. His path eventually led him to Naperville, Illinois, where in 1966 he took charge as head coach and began transforming a modest program into a dynasty that forever redefined collegiate distance running.

He was one of the most decorated coaches in the history of track and field, as his team and athletes captured 19 NCAA Division III national championships and 16 runner-up finishes. In addition, they placed fourth or better in 42 of 47 NCAA appearances, an all-division record. Along the way, he guided eight athletes to individual national titles. If we were to talk about the track alone, then under his guidance, his athletes grabbed 12 NCAA Division III track and field team titles. All in all, Carius’ athletes collected 536 All-America awards and 63 individual and relay national crowns. Talk about an exceptional coach!

Over the course of his five-decade-long glorious career, Carius has earned himself several accolades for his leadership and success. The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has honored him with 12 “Cross Country Coach of the Year” awards and named him the “National Track and Field Coach of the Year” twice. His impact on the sport was further cemented with inductions into multiple halls of fame, among them the prestigious Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. A gem of a coach, and an even greater gem as a person, Carius is remembered among his peers as the man who had a vision for youngsters who were often lost on the harsh terrain of track and field.

Speaking about his legacy, North Central College President Abiodun Goke-Pariola expressed, “The impact that Al Carius had during his more than half a century at North Central College cannot be overstated. While his success as a coach was unparalleled, it was never the trophies or recognition that motivated him. Al was a true believer in the NCAA Division III student-athlete experience and the role that athletics plays in helping young men and women develop the habits and skills they need to be successful in life.”

Legendary North Central College coach Al Carius has died at the age of 83 after a long and strong battle with cancer.

Carius wasn’t just considered a coach. He was a mentor, philosopher and the architect of one of the most dominant programs in collegiate running—regardless… pic.twitter.com/FS0A4zwM8D

— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) September 9, 2025

He further added, “This is a difficult time for our Cardinal community as we mourn the loss of a campus icon, and yet we are forever grateful that Al’s legacy and commitment to students have become part of who we are and what we do at North Central College.” Carius retired from his duties as head coach in 2020 after he was diagnosed with stage-four bone cancer. A year later, he published his book Run for Fun and Personal Bests, which detailed his coaching philosophies.

In this book, he wrote: “I’m so proud to have had so many young men and women pass through our North Central College athletic program and go on to spread our message of ‘Run for Fun and Personal Bests’ to other high school and college programs. I pray that I have set a good example for them for how to be a coach and a guide to the young people who are entrusted to their care.”

His departure is painful not only for his athletes and peers but also for the entire track community. Taking to social media, the community has come forward to mourn his loss.

Track and field community mourns the passing of legendary coach Al Carius

With more than 536 All-America awards to his name, it’s no surprise that Al Carius is remembered as one of the greatest coaches in history. Fans flooded social media with tributes, one writing: “The best coach I’ve ever known. And a wonderful man. #RunforFun&PersonalBests.” Another admirer who knew him personally added, “Tremendous coach and wonderful person. Loved having him as speaker at @WISTCA clinic.”

The Wisconsin Track Coaches Association (WISTCA) welcomed eight members to its Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2019, including six state champion athletes and two of its most accomplished coaches. The induction ceremony took place on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Marriott Madison West as the culmination of the 30th annual WISTCA Clinic, which drew more than 1,000 coaches from Wisconsin and surrounding states. The WISTCA Clinic is one of the largest of its kind in the US, and its featured clinicians include University of Wisconsin men’s track and field coach Ed Nuttycombe, former German national coach and 1976 Olympian Wolfgang Killing, and North Central (Ill.) College cross country and track and field coach Al Carius. Maybe it is here that the fan heard Carius speak.

Carius lived by a simple motto: “The thing we value most is personal improvement, doing something you haven’t done before. You’re not a better person if you’re an All-American and not a worse person if you’re not. Athletics should be fun. It does mean you always give your best. And when you do that, you can live with the results.” He embodied this philosophy until the very end.

The tributes poured in: “Coach Al Carius was the best.” Another fan echoed the sentiment: “Legend barely covers it. One of the best to do it. Great coach, even better person.” North Central College honored his legacy by naming him an honorary alumnus in 2006, awarding him an honorary degree in 2016, and dedicating the Al B. Carius Track in 2009. He also served twice as director of athletics, from 1971 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1993.

One heartfelt tribute on X captured his impact: “Tonight as my daughter Mary ran a cross-country race, instead of sharing some racing strategy, I simply told her to smile while she ran and most importantly, have fun. ‘Run for Fun and Personal Best’ – Al Carius. Thank you Al!!” And perhaps the simplest, yet most fitting farewell: “Legend barely covers it. RIP to a pillar of the sport.”

His legacy will live on in the hearts of his athletes as well as the fans. Given that, our sincere condolences to his family and all those who loved him.

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