Tribute to Tony Wells
Today, we pause to remember Tony Wells, our friend and extraordinary coach and mentor. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they memorialize him today in Colorado. Rather than attempt to find the words to express our profound respect and admiration of this humble, giving and gracious man, we are reprinting, with permission, a posting by Kyle Lnudson.
All-Time Great HS Coach Passes Away
By Lyle Knudson / July 17, 2012 11:54 PM
One of the nation’s all-time great youth through high school age coaches, Tony Wells (Denver, CO) passed away July 16 from chronic kidney failure.
Known primarily for producing outstanding female sprinters and hurdles, several who’ve held USA youth and high school records, Wells also coached national class jumpers, throwers, and middle distance runners. While his high school age athletes represented various schools in the Denver metropolitan area, they trained year-around with his Colorado Flyers track club.
But Tony’s influence went well beyond the athletes he coached directly. For over twenty years, he was the principal sprint-hurdle clinician for the TAC/USATF National Junior Elite Training Camps held annually at the Olympic Training Centers, mentoring numerous future Olympians and their coaches, many of whom have also become among the top sprint-hurdle coaches in the nation. He was constantly recruited to coach at high school and intercollegiate levels, but insisted on staying with his “kids”.
Not only was he a great coach, he was also a truly wonderful human being, caring deeply about athletes and his coaching peers. Many, including this writer, consider Tony our greatest coaching inspiration and our best friend.
Rest peacefully Tony.
Reprinted with permission from Lyle Knudson
