Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) will honor coach Tom Heath April 25 before the Colts’ home outdoor track and field meet.
Heath announced his retirement from cross-country coaching in December, ending a 45-year tenure as the head running coach at CBA. After serving as an assistant in 1970, Heath took over the program in 1971. He complied 26 NJSIAA group state championships, 21 NJSIAA Meet of Champions titles, 15 Eastern States regional victories and a Nike Cross National Championship in 2011.
What Heath may be remembered the most for, however, is “the streak.” CBA has won 343 dual meets in a row, which is a national record Heath will pass along to new head coach Sean McCafferty. The streak began in September 1974, when CBA beat Marist High School, and the Colts will look to keep it going in the fall.
Heath also spent most of those 45 years as the distance coach with the track team, winning three Championship of America Distance Medley Relays at the prestigious Penn Relays.
The April 25 festivities will begin at 3:30 p.m. with a ceremony honoring Heath’s impact on CBA athletics. The Colts host Middletown High School South and Freehold Township High School in a tri-meet beginning at 4 p.m. CBA’s track is accessible by continuing past the gym parking lots on the main driveway.
CBA named McCafferty the new head cross-country coach last month. He has been the assistant coach under Heath for the last two years and currently coaches the distance runners for both indoor and outdoor track.
