UConn Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Greg Roy Announces Retirement
"It has been an honor to serve the University of Connecticut and the Division of Athletics for the past 37 years," said Roy. "To have experienced the University-wide renaissance and be a part of the evolution of all UConn Athletics has been a thrill. At the core of that experience are the student-athletes. I started my coaching career in a quest to 'Give Back' what I had received through my own athletic experience. I found that to be an impossible task. No matter how much I thought I had given, the student-athletes always gave more back. To them, I will be eternally grateful and thank them for allowing me to be a part of their lives. I thank everyone who has helped me throughout my career, especially those I have had the pleasure to work and coach with at UConn. Go Huskies!"
"Greg Roy is one of the most successful coaches in the history of UConn athletics," director of athletics David Benedict said. "In his 37 years as head coach, his teams have captured 18 conference championships and 27 New England Championships, while 26 student-athletes have earned at least one All-America honor. Along the way, he has served as a tremendous ambassador for the University and has made a positive impact on countless student-athletes and coaches. We will miss Greg but I'm pleased to know he isn't done quite yet. Fresh off of a pair of BIG EAST Indoor Championships, I'm sure our men's and women's track & field teams will be eager to send Coach Roy out in style by adding a couple more championships to his resume during the outdoor season."
Coach Roy began his career at UConn in 1985 when he was named the Head Men's Cross-Country Coach and an Assistant Coach with the track program. He was elevated to the Men's Head Track & Field Coach in 1989 and in 2019, he assumed his current role as Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, overseeing the combining of the Huskies' men and women's programs.
During his tenure, Roy's teams won 18 conference championships, most recently claiming the 2022 BIG EAST men's and women's indoor championship last week. He has led his teams to 16 BIG EAST titles, 11 indoor and five outdoor. UConn made its return to the conference last season and announced its return with a record-breaking win at the 2021 BIG EAST Outdoor Championship. The Huskies set new BIG EAST records for total team points, piling up 294, and individual event champions with 12 title winners.
The Huskies also won a pair of American Athletic Conference crowns during UConn's time in the league, taking the 2014 indoor title and the 2015 outdoor crown, winning it at home in Storrs at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.
His teams also claimed 25 NEICAAA New England Indoor Championships as well as a pair of outdoor championships as well, winning at home in Storrs in 1998 and 1999. The Huskies won five IC4A indoor titles, two outdoor championships and a cross country crown as well.
Under his tutelage, UConn has had 44 All-American performances in cross country and track and field with 10 student-athletes in the program achieving All-American status 15 times.
Among his many coaching accolades, he and his coaching staff were named the BIG EAST or AAC Coaching Staff of the Year 19 times, most recently earning the award on both the men's and women's side at last week's BIG EAST Championships. He was named the NCAA District I Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1990, the NCAA District I Outdoor Track Coach of the year in 1996 and the NCAA District I Indoor Track Coach of the year four times (1990, 1994, 1997, 1999). He was also named the NCAA Northeast Region Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
A national search to identify Roy's successor will begin at the conclusion of the outdoor season.
Source: UConn Athletics
