York's Newton to end his reign coaching the Long Green Line

Legendary York cross-country coach Joe Newton is nearing the end of his famed Long Green Line.

At a news conference Wednesday at the Elmhurst high school, one of the coach's three children, Thomas Newton, announced his father will retire following his 61st cross-country season at York this fall. Joe Newton, 87 and now residing nearly year-round in Arizona, will be co-coach. Dukes boys track coach and cross-country assistant Charlie Kern was named interim coach.

"I've never been in a hurry to be in charge. We all know what that really means - it means that he can't do it," said an emotional Kern, who later drew laughs when comparing the length of Newton's reign to "maybe the Queen of England."

That it was Thomas Newton addressing the press and not the motivational guru who from 1955 to 2015 led York to 28 state cross-country titles - the first in 1962 - showed the severity of the mobility issues facing Joe Newton, who requested no communication from the press upon the announcement.

Arthritis and impeded posture on top of hip replacement has made standing any length of time painful, Thomas Newton said. Joe Newton's absence at recent DuPage County track invitational and at the track state meet, where he was long a staple, indicated sitting for long spells had also become too much. The family made the decision in July.

"His life is running. His life is cross-country. His life is York High School and the young men here. To live that for 60 years and then one day say you have to stop because you can't continue in this manner, it's extremely difficult for him," Thomas Newton said.

"It's extremely difficult, I think, for our family," he said. "But knowing he's able to be the co-head coach this year and hopefully be down at the state meet so that others can see him for the last time, I think brought him a sense of comfort."

In question is how often "Mr. Newton" will provide motivational magic face to face rather than by phone.

"The connection is not severed. It's still there," said Kern, planning a career celebration Nov. 6 at York. "He just can't be here as much, but we're looking forward to whatever days they can be."

Such honors as membership in 13 halls of fame and the first high school coach to assist on a United States Men's Olympic Track Team, in 1988, were built on connection, one harrier at a time.

"He's good with this decision and he looks forward to that time where he can do what he does best and that's motivate young people to give it their best," Thomas Newton said.