#3 Bruce Frey

Bruce graduated from Edgewood High School in 1972. His high school did not have a track team (but the WPIAL let one athlete from each school without a track team compete in their championships), Bruce ran the 440 yard dash and metaled his junior year and finished 5th his senior season, with a time of 51.5.

Bruce moved on to the University of Virginia to continue his track career. At UVA, he was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference in the mile relay. And a two time mile relay medalist in the state of Virginia Championships (every school in Virginia competes in the state championships).

Bruce also played JV basketball for the Cavaliers, his coach was now former NBA head coach, Mike Schuler. He was a member of the 1976 ACC Tournament Champs.

In 1981, Bruce was named the first head coach of the track and cross country Division I program at Robert Morris. He took a club program and in five years won the inaugural men’s conference cross country championship. Coach Frey followed that up with a second title. He took a club that was in it’s infancy, and developed it into a very well respected program that was a viable option for Western Pennsylvania athletes.

In the fall of 1992, Bruce moved on to Winchester Thurston Academy. Again, he was starting a program from club status. His first cross country team had three runners. Bruce has developed another program and it resulted in 3 A state titles (2014, 2016 and 2019). His boys have won the last five district titles (WPIAL). In 2017 and 2018 the AA 1500 meter champ from Winchester Thurston was the fastest “miler” in the state.

A few facts about Bruce: He ran a sub 50 400 meters for 11 straight years. Also, he ran in a collegiate track meet for 32 straight years.

As a senior in college at Robert Morris, he gave me the ability to craft workouts for the team in cross country. That carried over to track, (both indoor and outdoor) and I really appreciated his sincerity to have me coach for him.

After I graduated, I took a job as a counselor at a school for juvenile delinquents in the Philadelphia area. Bruce contacted me and asked me if I wanted to assist him coaching the guys team. I jumped at the chance! He gave me the opportunity to coach the men’s team and prepare them for the conference championships. I took the challenge, and Robert Morris won their second straight conference championship.

Bruce gave me carte blanche to coach the men’s teams as I see fit. I worked the shit out of those guys, and in the end, we won a second conference title.

Bruce and I went to a fundraiser, and met the Athletic Director for Duquesne University. She asked Bruce if he knew anyone that was interested in coaching at Duquesne…he pointed at me and the rest is history. I love Bruce Frey and can’t thank him enough for the opportunities that he has given me.

Bruce is enjoying life in Edgewood, PA.