Lehigh University Athletics
Coach John Covert one of six new Lehigh Hall of Famers
5/7/2005 8:30:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
Long time cross country and track head coach John Covert brought a period of sustained success to Lehigh. The head coach of the cross country and track programs from 1967 to 1992, Covert led Lehigh to regional prominence on the cross country scene.
Joe McVeigh ’86 had the opportunity to learn under Covert during his time at Lehigh. “I can’t imagine a better match of coach and institution than John Covert and Lehigh — a scholar-Marine leading a team of overachieving students, molding them into athletic overachievers as well. He had high expectations of us, no doubt, and he got us to meet them not by issuing high-decibel demands, but by creating a track & field program in which initiative, self-reliance, and discipline were key to success. Those who had these qualities thrived. Probably not coincidentally, that seems to apply to pretty much everything else I’ve encountered later in life. It’s also pretty easy to develop strong character when you are guided by a person of character.”
During his time at Lehigh, Covert’s men’s cross country teams captured six ECAC conference championships and six IC4A titles. On the men’s side, Covert’s cross country teams posted a record of 199-99 overall, including a 23-2 mark versus rival
At the same time, his coaching success carried over to the track as he coached the men’s team for 25 years and the women’s team for its first five years as a varsity sport. On the men’s side, Covert’s squad was 98-21 overall in indoor track action and 98-47 in the spring outdoor season. Combined, they posted a 35-12 record against
“As far as I am concerned, this award is as much for the athletes who participated in cross country and track over those years as it is for me,” Covert said. “I am pleased to receive this honor on behalf of those student-athletes who worked so hard during my time at Lehigh.”
Prior to his arrival at Lehigh, Covert spent ten years as a coach at
A 1953 graduate of
A native of
The annual induction ceremony and banquet is sponsored by the Lehigh Athletics Partnership.
