SIAP: Former track coach Harry Groves

[PSU Mike]

I received an email as part of a former athletes’ distribution that 38-year (1968-2006) PSU track coach Harry Groves passed away last evening. I think he would have been 89. He was a very sarcastically funny guy, and coached dozens of All America athletes, particularly middle distance. R.I.P., Coach Groves.

Here is a release around his retirement.

https://news.psu.edu/story/203664/2...y-and-track-and-field-coach-groves-set-retire

 

[83wuzme]

Thank you for posting this notice. RIP, Harry.

 

[BVSt.Paul]

What an amazing career.

 

[ChiTownLion]

Colorful guy. RIP, Coach Groves.

 

[psunovaluvr]

Very sad to hear. I had been a manager for him in the 70’s as (I believe) the first female manager for Men’s Track and Cross Country. He was quite the character and l know what a great coach he was. I appreciated the opportunity he gave me, in my role. It was an important part of my college experience and I met some great people from it. RIP Harry.

 

[bkmtnittany1]

2 summers at PSU xc camp...summer of 75-76

 

[Bob78]

I had/have a couple of buddies from HS who were on the PSU track team in the 70s under Groves. They had some good stories about him. One that comes to mind is that PSU had a very good weight/throws guy named Al (Jackson?), who called himself "Bigg Al, with two Gs". Even had a license plate that said BIGG AL.

Anyway, they came back from a term break or something, and had a team meeting. Groves was talking to the team and said 'You'll notice that Bigg Al with two Gs isn't here. That's because now it's Bigg Al with 2 Ds and an F'.

Anyway, RIP Harry Groves.

 

[novaclassof90]

My dad was a long time college track/XC coach in PA for all of the 1970s and 1980s. He and Harry were great friends. Sorry to hear about his passing. Harry was a character. One of a kind guy.

 

[WyomingLion]

Harry once told us he was sitting on a bench at the mall waiting for his wife. She asked why he was checking out the girls going by. He told her he was trying to figure out why girls had more knee injuries than boys. He said it must have to do with wider hips and more knock kneed girls. She laughed, only you Harry, only you....
Great coach. RIP Harry.

 

[RochLion]

I received an email as part of a former athletes’ distribution that 38-year (1968-2006) PSU track coach Harry Groves passed away last evening. I think he would have been 89. He was a very sarcastically funny guy, and coached dozens of All America athletes, particularly middle distance. R.I.P., Coach Groves.

Here is a release around his retirement.

https://news.psu.edu/story/203664/2...y-and-track-and-field-coach-groves-set-retire

Wow, truly sad to hear. I had him as an instructor for a strength training class. Really a humble and kind person. I remember talking to some buddies of mine who were big runners and they new of Harry and his accomplishments in collegiate track. Heavy heart tonight.

 

[hohmadw]

I received an email as part of a former athletes’ distribution that 38-year (1968-2006) PSU track coach Harry Groves passed away last evening. I think he would have been 89. He was a very sarcastically funny guy, and coached dozens of All America athletes, particularly middle distance. R.I.P., Coach Groves.

Here is a release around his retirement.

https://news.psu.edu/story/203664/2...y-and-track-and-field-coach-groves-set-retire

I had the pleasure of competing for him in the half mile and distance medley relay for a year before my knee gave out. When I could no longer run effectively, he told me I would be all right in life because I was a really good student at PSU. He was a big supporter of academics at Penn State from a coaching perspective.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Harry once told us he was sitting on a bench at the mall waiting for his wife. She asked why he was checking out the girls going by. He told her he was trying to figure out why girls had more knee injuries than boys. He said it must have to do with wider hips and more knock kneed girls. She laughed, only you Harry, only you....
Great coach. RIP Harry.

He is right. The hip angle has produced more of a v-shaped notch in the knee joint where the ACL passes through than the u-shape that narrower hipped men have. This causes a greater propensity for tears. ACL tears are way more prevalent in women than men who play sports with a lot of cutting.

This article points out the issue with “knock knees” as well

https://orthonc.com/your-health/pre...-are-acl-tears-more-common-in-female-athletes

 

[CentexLion]

I received an email as part of a former athletes’ distribution that 38-year (1968-2006) PSU track coach Harry Groves passed away last evening. I think he would have been 89. He was a very sarcastically funny guy, and coached dozens of All America athletes, particularly middle distance. R.I.P., Coach Groves.

Here is a release around his retirement.

https://news.psu.edu/story/203664/2...y-and-track-and-field-coach-groves-set-retire

Sad news. I had the Running class with Harry in the Fall of 1980. He was a great instructor and person. I was in decent running shape at the time, having competed in the PA States that year in XC, but Harry ran circles around us as we went out on 8-10 mile runs for class. Fun times. My condolences to his family and may he Rest In Peace.