Fred Dwyer, Legendary Manhattan University Track Coach, Dies at 94

Fred Dwyer

Fred Dwyer, the longest-tenured track and field coach in Manhattan University history and a central figure in the program’s rise to national prominence, died Friday morning at the age of 94.

Dwyer led Manhattan University’s track and field program for 24 years, from 1969 to 1993, shaping one of the most successful and respected programs in the East and leaving a lasting imprint on generations of student-athletes.

“On Friday, the Manhattan community lost a towering figure: Coach Fred Dwyer,” said Director of Athletics Irma Garcia.

“Throughout our Jasper lives, we rarely meet someone whose guidance so completely and positively changes the direction of a program. His profound impact on our track and field program and the athletes he coached will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace, Coach. You were loved and will be missed. Thank you for your immense contributions to Manhattan Athletics.”

Under Dwyer’s leadership, the Jaspers built a powerhouse track-and-field tradition. During his tenure, Manhattan University captured the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship in 1973, four IC4A Championships, and 19 Metropolitan Championships.

Dwyer coached 41 All-Americans and four Olympians. His athletes set numerous world and national records, and approximately 250 school records were broken during his time at Manhattan.

Before his coaching career, Dwyer was a standout athlete at Villanova University. As a junior, he helped the Wildcats win the Penn Relays. In 1953, he earned All-America honors as a senior and became the last runner to win all five mile races at the Millrose Games, New York Athletic Club Games, New York Knights of Columbus Games, National AAU Championships and IC4A Championships, all held at the original Madison Square Garden.

Dwyer joined Manhattan University in 1969 as head coach of track and field and immediately made an impact, leading the cross-country team to a perfect 7–0 season. One year later, he coached the NCAA Indoor Distance Medley Championship team of John Lovett, Mike Kenny, Al Novell and Tom Donahue.

In 1973, Dwyer guided the cross-country team to another IC4A Championship, led the Jaspers to the NCAA Indoor National Championship, and was named NCAA Coach of the Year.

That same era produced one of the program’s defining achievements, when Dwyer coached the Distance Medley Relay team of John Lovett, Ray Johnson, Joe Savage and Tony Colon to a world-record time of 9:43.8.

In 1974, he coached the 4×1-mile relay team to a U.S. outdoor record of 16:14.4, with runners Pete Squires, Matt Centrowitz, Joe Savage and Tony Colon.

Dwyer continued coaching the Jaspers until 1993, earning another Coach of the Year honor from NCAA District II before being inducted into the Manhattan University Athletics Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jane Anne, and their children — Fred ’82, Jane ’85, Jim ’86, Joe ’87 and Tara ’92 — all graduates of Manhattan University.