GLENDALE

Coach Koegler walks away

After 30 years of track and field and cross-country coaching, La Crescenta resident calling it quits.

By Charles Rich

May 16 2002

GLENDALE -- Pulling a lane chalker around the track several times prior to a dual track and field meet wasn't the most appealing part of the job.

It didn't hinder La Crescenta resident Fred Koegler that he had been assigned that task shortly after he became an assistant coach on the Verdugo Hills High track and field team in 1972.

Times and numerous winning lanes have changed through the past three decades, allowing Koegler to shed some light on a career that will close May 23 at the L.A. City Section final at Van Nuys Birmingham High. The final curtain on the 60-year-old Koegler's remarkable coaching career will unfold after he piloted the Dons' boys' and girls' track and field and cross country teams to an era of success. He succeeded longtime track and field Coach Bob Morehouse in 1987 and was the school's third cross-country coach since the program began around 1950.

"When I pulled the lane chalker around the track, I learned that the lanes would become crooked if you went fast," said Koegler, who has taught driver's education at Verdugo Hills High for 30 years. "I remember Bob telling me that I would be on my own in how to run a track and field meet."

Koegler did fine, winning two league track and field championships in the girls' competition and one in the boys'. He also helped the cross-country boys' and girls' squads capture seven and two league crowns, respectively.

He's coached the nimble Shane Hackett, a pole vaulter who recorded a state championship title in 2000 with a mark of 16 feet 4 inches. It's the lone track and field state championship that the school has won since it opened in 1937.

"That was one of my more memorable accomplishments," said Koegler, a Los Angeles Unified School District employee for 33 years. "It's hard to get someone to state and it's something I won't forget.

"What's rewarding for me is to see the people I've coached go on to be successful at their different professions. They've made something of themselves and they appreciated what I did for them."

Koegler's crossed paths with several former student-athletes.

He said he was once stopped by a California Highway Patrol officer who recognized him. The officer had been a former athlete of Koegler's during the 70s.

Koegler said he'll remain active in the community.

He's worked as a volunteer for the Montrose Search and Rescue team for 30 years and will continue to work as a park ranger at Yosemite National Park.

"I hope to be remembered for being dedicated to the track and field and cross-country programs and the longevity of being a coach," Koegler said.