Grinnell College Athletics

Richard Young, a coach nicknamed "killer" but respected for his strong advocacy of hard work and discipline, propelled Grinnell trackmen to an unprecedented for consecutive outdoor and indoor conference track championships from 1962-1965. A Jefferson, Iowa, native, Young was a record-setting sprinter at Drake University who became a WWII navy physical fitness instructor. Running for Illinois at the 1944 Relays, he was a member of four winning relay teams. After the war he was a high school coach at Coon Rapids, Sioux City Central, and Des Moines East before joining the Grinnell staff in 1958. After serving as an assistant for a year, Dick became head coach of track and cross country in 1959 and proceeded to become one of Grinnell's most successful sports mentors, though on board a relatively short time. In addition to the track titles, Young produced a championship team and several top contenders in cross country. He left Grinnell in 1966 for California where he coached at Rio Hondo Community College, a new institution, until his retirement in 1991. It was a reminiscent time for Young when he visited Grinnell in 1998. He served as starter for the Les Duke Invitational cross country meet and was honored at a reunion of alums who had run on his teams. Twenty-two Pioneers of the 60's expressed their respect and appreciation for "Killer", who showed them the way to success. Grinnell's big track meet has been named the Dick Young Invitational in his honor.