Sports Indiana loses Ed Fry
Sports Editor: Jeff Hart – J.R.Hart2@iup.edu
‘Our success came from the support that he created for the team’
Jeff Hart Sports Editor J.R.Hart2@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Is it possible to be more than just a man? Is it possible to be the embodiment of an entire team, college and community? If it is, Ed Fry is the embodiment of all those things. IUP and the entire Indiana community lost someone truly special with the passing of Ed Fry. On Oct. 3, Fry passed away at his home in Somerset at the age of 80. Fry has left a lasting impact on this community that will not ever be forgotten. Fry came onto the scene at the university in 1966 when he accepted a teaching position with IUP. Growing up in McKeesport, Pa., Fry had surprisingly never heard of IUP. Shortly after his hiring, Fry took on the job of becoming a coach for the men’s cross country and track and field teams at different capacities. Before his career at IUP, Fry attended St. Peter’s High School where they did not have athletic programs at the school. After high school, Fry went to Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a childhood friend. While there, he joined the cross country team and shortly developed an affinity and a passion for the sport that would lead him down a life of unimaginable opportunity and blessings. After an injury riddled sophomore year at Loras, he transferred to DePaul University where he soon found success with their cross country program. Fry was so skilled; he was able to win his first race at the
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university and soon after received a full scholarship from his first performance. As an athlete, he was able to perform at a dominant level where he was able to have an undefeated senior year in 1962. Despite having little background in the sport, Fry wanted to become involved and give back to others the joy he got from running. “I learned a lot from training and running,” said Fry in a 2010 interview, “I figured I could pass those things on.” Fry started with a small cross country program that only consisted of four members when he was hired. Fry worked tirelessly at recruiting and was able to bring people in with his almost infectious presence. “He had this presence that you couldn’t describe,” said alumnus Sean Strauman. Because of this presence, Fry was able to build a program that was deep with runners and became a powerhouse cross country program in just less than a decade. Fry was able to get the most out of his athletes, and that showed in the results the team was able to get. Between 1972-83, the men’s cross country team won five Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) titles. What is even more impressive, and speaks to Fry’s beautiful character, Fry was doing all of this for free. He was only paid once he created the IUP Women’s Cross Country team. Athletic Director Ruth Podbielski hired Fry as the coach for the new women’s program, and Fry was able to be compensated for the countless hours of hard work and dedication to his athletes. Under his guidance, the women’s team won seven PSAC championships between 1980-90. He fulfilled his roles with the teams along with helping other programs
within the department as well. Fry was rewarded with being inducted into the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Furthermore, the community wanted to recognize his impact on the community and named the newly built basketball complex the Ed Fry Arena. At the end of the day, Fry led a career of success and accomplishments that span a period of 43 years at IUP. Even among all the accolades and achievements, Fry leaves behind one thing that will carry on his legacy for years to come: unbreakable bonds with his athletes. Fry was only able to have so much success because of his unyielding passion and dedication to his athletes. Fry saw these students as so much more than athletes. He knew that at the end of the day, “It wasn’t win at all cost, but do the best you can,” as Fry so eloquently stated years ago. This philosophy was obvious to everyone around Fry. Former coach Bob Raemore coached alongside Fry for years and was able to speak to his character before his hall of fame induction. “He was always thinking about the athletes,” Raemore said. “It was always about the kids. It was never about him. He was not concerned with the won-loss record or coach of this or coach of that awards. He wanted to see the kids getting better, regardless of what place that meant. “He was intense. Everybody always knew he was intense, but not like basketball coaches, and never like football coaches. He was calm. He was always kind of in tune with his athletes, and they always had a plan. They knew what they wanted to do. He had a plan, and he just tried to stick by it. But not all plans work out.” Story continued on page 19
October 14, 2020
(iupathletics)
(iup.edu) Fry left such an impact that his name will live on.
Sports
