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Current Public News
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| Coach Jeff Staab to Step Down |
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| 7/3/2008 |
It's been a great run (no pun intended), but after 10 years as an assistant coach for the Boston Athletic Association, Coach Jeff Staab has announced that he will conclude his coaching duties effective August 1, 2008. Citing a need to devote more time to his family and his full-time job at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, Staab feels "that the time is right to step aside... It has been such a great experience working with such wonderful athletes, something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a very young runner. Through all the ups and downs of competitive running you’ve each taught me something new about training and working with people. I’ve met so many wonderful people in this sport and you’ve given me many memorable moments. I’ve been able to far exceed the first goals I had when I started out coaching."
Staab first joined the B.A.A. in the spring of 1998 and has been primarily responsible for overseeing the women's program. Among his accomplishments, his tenure has been highlighted by three National Cross Country Championships (1998, 2000 and 2006). His teams have won seven New England Cross Country titles, which included a 5-year run from 2002 to 2006, dozens of USATF-New England Grand Prix Championships, and he has helped coach a number of athletes to individual USATF New England Grand Prix titles. In 2005, he helped coach Emily LeVan to an 35th place finish at in the World Championship Marathon in Helsinki, Finland.
Staab has also demonstrated his abilities as one of the top club coaches in the country having had numerous qualifiers for each of the last three Women's Olympic Trials Marathons: five in 2000, five in 2004 and, this past spring in Boston, he had six women qualifiers, including Kasie Enman whose 11th place finish made her the top New England finisher.
Jeff always made his vast array of both personal and professional running experiences accessible to all club members. A exercise physiologist by trade, Staab is a wealth of knowledge from everything from training & racing, to recovery, to injury prevention. An integral part of the coaching staff, Staab worked closely with the women's group as well as helping coach the Tuesday night road race/marathon group at M.I.T. And Staab contributed more than just his knowledge of the sport to the club, his friendly manner and sense of humor have enabled him to recruit many of the top New England runners to the B.A.A. and have endeared him to club members over the years.
A graduate of Springfield College, Staab resides in Hopkinton with his wife Janet, son Colin and two dogs Bailey and Murphy.
In reflecting on Staab's contributions to the B.A.A. Running Club, Coach Pieroni stated: "Jeff's contributions to the club have been numerous on all levels: from helping athletes qualify for the Olympic Trials, setting PR's, winning team titles on the local and national level, to hosting club athletes at his home in Hopkinton for the marathon in April. By sharing his well planned training and racing plans Jeff has helped the entire organization."
The B.A.A. will be conducting a search for a qualified replacement to coach the team.
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