Lehigh Mourns the Passing of Legendary Coach John Covert
11/7/2025 4:45:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field, Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Coach John Covert, a member of the Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame, who led the Lehigh cross country and track and field programs for 25 years, passed away last week at the age of 95. Covert led Lehigh's cross country and track and field programs from 1967-1992 and led the Brown and White to regional prominence on the cross country scene.
"The passing of coach John Covert is a profound loss for the entire Lehigh community," said Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. "John was not just a coach, he was an architect of excellence. His vision gave us one of the nation's finest cross country courses and established the Paul Short Run—a foundation of our competitive identity that continues to thrive today. The deep and enduring loyalty of his alumni is a tribute to his character and his legacy as a transformational mentor."
During his time at Lehigh, Covert's men's cross country teams captured six ECAC championships and six IC4A titles. His men's teams went 23-2 on the trail versus rival Lafayette during his 25 years as the team's head coach.
Covert designed the layout for Lehigh's Goodman Campus Cross Country Course. Regarded as one of the finest cross country courses in the nation, it has served as the host for three NCAA Championship meets, as well numerous NCAA Regional cross country meets, and the annual Paul Short Run, which Covert helped found in 1969.
In the winter and spring, Covert's 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.
In the fall of 2017, the Carol and John Covert Track and Field Pavilion was opened as the first permanent structure at Lehigh's track complex on the Goodman Campus. The building was named in honor of the longtime coach and his wife, Carol.
"John's legacy is felt in many ways," said Lehigh cross country head coach Debbie Utesch. "He produced some of the most successful teams in Lehigh's cross country and track and field history and his athletes' names can still be found on our record boards. He took the lead to design the Goodman Campus Cross Country course and then brought multiple NCAA National Championship races to Lehigh. He started the Paul Short run which has become a nationally renowned collegiate cross country competition.
"Finally, John mentored hundreds of young men and women and helped them navigate their way through college and life. His footprint will remain on the Lehigh Athletics landscape for generations.'
"The life of coach John Covert is a remarkable example of dedication, discipline, and big dreams," said Lehigh track and field head coach Khayla Atte '05. "His influence has left a lasting mark on the Lehigh Athletics community—reflected in the continued passion and engagement of the alumni he inspired, and in the enduring strength of the program he helped build. Coach Covert's legacy reminds us that pride and integrity are the true hallmarks of Lehigh Track and Field. It is both humbling and an honor to stand on the shoulders of his commitment, carrying forward the standard of excellence he set for generations to come."
Family and friends of Coach Covert are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2540 Center St, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Covert's full obituary can be found HERE.
"The passing of coach John Covert is a profound loss for the entire Lehigh community," said Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. "John was not just a coach, he was an architect of excellence. His vision gave us one of the nation's finest cross country courses and established the Paul Short Run—a foundation of our competitive identity that continues to thrive today. The deep and enduring loyalty of his alumni is a tribute to his character and his legacy as a transformational mentor."
During his time at Lehigh, Covert's men's cross country teams captured six ECAC championships and six IC4A titles. His men's teams went 23-2 on the trail versus rival Lafayette during his 25 years as the team's head coach.
Covert designed the layout for Lehigh's Goodman Campus Cross Country Course. Regarded as one of the finest cross country courses in the nation, it has served as the host for three NCAA Championship meets, as well numerous NCAA Regional cross country meets, and the annual Paul Short Run, which Covert helped found in 1969.
In the winter and spring, Covert's 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.
In the fall of 2017, the Carol and John Covert Track and Field Pavilion was opened as the first permanent structure at Lehigh's track complex on the Goodman Campus. The building was named in honor of the longtime coach and his wife, Carol.
"John's legacy is felt in many ways," said Lehigh cross country head coach Debbie Utesch. "He produced some of the most successful teams in Lehigh's cross country and track and field history and his athletes' names can still be found on our record boards. He took the lead to design the Goodman Campus Cross Country course and then brought multiple NCAA National Championship races to Lehigh. He started the Paul Short run which has become a nationally renowned collegiate cross country competition.
"Finally, John mentored hundreds of young men and women and helped them navigate their way through college and life. His footprint will remain on the Lehigh Athletics landscape for generations.'
"The life of coach John Covert is a remarkable example of dedication, discipline, and big dreams," said Lehigh track and field head coach Khayla Atte '05. "His influence has left a lasting mark on the Lehigh Athletics community—reflected in the continued passion and engagement of the alumni he inspired, and in the enduring strength of the program he helped build. Coach Covert's legacy reminds us that pride and integrity are the true hallmarks of Lehigh Track and Field. It is both humbling and an honor to stand on the shoulders of his commitment, carrying forward the standard of excellence he set for generations to come."
Family and friends of Coach Covert are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2540 Center St, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Covert's full obituary can be found HERE.
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