<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-16021 lazyload" src="https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/celebs.jpg" alt="celebs" width="700" height="400" srcset="https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/celebs.jpg 700w, https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/celebs-300x171.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /> Some of Alex Teekel’s ’95 favorite high school memories are tied to his participation on the cross country and track teams – particularly the running camps held during the summer to prepare for cross country season.
“Teamwork and accountability were reinforced with communal living in one cabin and division of chores, double workouts, and the dreaded assault of Emigrant Gap on the final day,” he said.
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Teekel was among 15 former O’Dowd cross country and track athletes and coaches who were honored at the 5<sup>th</sup> Annual Alumni Beer Garden, held in Dominican Hall Courtyard prior to the varsity football game versus Tennyson High School on October 20. In all nearly 130 people attended the event.
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Coaches Steve Brown and Tony Green enjoyed sharing memories and reconnecting with the athletes they coached.
Brown started at O’Dowd as an interim distance coach for the track team in the spring of 1986, and Green became head track coach in 1987. Both served as cross country and/or track coaches for nearly 30 years, and Green continues to help out with the track team and is the strength and conditioning coach for the cheer team.
Over the years, the pair developed the two programs into some of the most successful in the area, winning numerous league and sectional titles, as well as placing at the State Meet.
“I could talk forever about Tony, but suffice it to say he has been an elite coach, motivator, team builder, mentor, role model and inspiration for both coaches and athletes at O’Dowd for many years,” he said.
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From 1986-2007, the women’s track team went undefeated under Green, and in 1994 the girls’ team was selected national champions according to “School Marks,” the national track and field recording agency. He’s been named National Coach of the Year, State Coach of the Year, Section Coach of the Year and League Coach of the Year.
Meanwhile, Brown said that while having successful teams was great, that’s not what kept him coaching for so long – even during the years when he had a young family at home.
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“We take a lot of pride in those banners up in the Dragon Dome, but that was not the reason that I continued. It was because of the tremendous people who I was privileged to spend time with during all of those practices, meets and after hours. I truly appreciate the opportunity and good fortune to have been part of O’Dowd for all of those years,” he said.
Teekel said Brown and Green were great role models. “They were always encouraging, but pushed us to never be complacent with our achievements,” he said. “There was always a new goal to strive for as individuals and as a team.”
A coach at O’Dowd for several years, Teekel helped continue the legacy. “Carrying on the tradition of dedication and hard work to future generations of O’Dowd athletes is something I was glad to be part of,” he said.
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