Pull Back the Plaid Curtain on Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Coach Gary Aldrich

Get to know head men’s and women’s head track and field coach Gary Aldrich in this addition of "Pull Back the Plaid Curtain!"

1. What drew you to being a coach – why the path to intercollegiate athletics?

I have always, since I can remember, wanted to be a teacher and coach. I can remember in sixth grade doing a math project which dealt with statistics. I charted all the stats for a football game between the Cowboys and Redskins, as it happened on TV. This is who I am, I am a COACH!!

I quickly had success at the high school level and wanted to test myself at a higher level.

2. What is your favorite memory during your time at Carnegie Mellon?

My favorite memories are working with the student-athletes at CMU. Times when we have success winning championships or after two years of struggling watching an athlete finally run faster than she did in high school. The tears we both shed because we each knew how hard it was to get to this point and the joy we felt.

3. Who has been the most influential person in your career?

Besides my parents, my collegiate track coaches Bill Lennox, Tom Lambert and Dick Maxwell and then Coach Ralph White who gave me my first fulltime job coaching at the collegiate level.

4. What was sports like while you were growing up – how do you think it’s changed?

Sports were everything to me, it is what I did every day and all day. I used to be able to get a pass to get out of study hall to go to the gym to participate in another class of gym daily! I tried everything, I was fortunate to be friends with guys who felt the same way. I think things have changed in the sense that kids don’t play as much. There are too many adults involved. I never see empty lots made into baseball fields and kids play until the street lights come on. Everything is structured. I don’t think this is a good thing.

5. What is the most memorable athletic event you have witnessed / been a part of outside of Carnegie Mellon Athletics?

In 2017, I was the Men’s Throws Coach for U.S.A. at the World Outdoor Championships in London, England. Being with and around the world class athletes was amazing, but the pride I had when I was able to hand the American Flag to a number of the athletes that placed first, second and third was incredible. Along with this, was this past summer where I was again representing U.S.A. at the NACAC (North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association) Under 23 Championships and I was able to hand the American Flag to the shot put champion. The thing that made this so special was I coached his mom and dad in college. Finally, I was named to the U.S.A. men's coaching staff as the Throws Coach for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This will be a dream come true.
Athletics Story | Piper Story

6. What is one thing that no one knows about you?

I want to be a judge for BBQ Pitmasters!!!

For other department member responses, visit Pull Back the Plaid Curtain.