A Good Run
BY BRUCE WARREN
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Head Coach Doug Duffy announced his retirement from the Cross Country program at Niwot High School after a 14-year run.  Duffy began as an assistant coach with the Cougar program, then took over the top job in 1998.  At the time Niwot had a successful girls program, but the boys squad was not on par. In Duffy’s words, “We barely had enough to make a team.”

That soon changed as the boys took second in conference in Duffy’s first year.  Duffy recalls many memorable moments with the cross country program, including the boys winning their first-ever conference championship in his second season, 1999.  “We actually tied with Sterling in the scoring, but the push is the sixth man, and our sixth man finished higher than Sterlings’.”

Duffy’s squads, both boys and girls, qualified for the state meet every year since 2000. In fact, the girls teams qualified for state every year of his coaching tenure.  There have been many other highlights over the 14 seasons, such as having three girls finish in the top five at state, eight regional championships and a 2006 state runner-up finish.  But Duffy describes as most memorable “the moments I spend with all kinds of special kids.” 

“I’m very proud of what we accomplished,” Duffy said.  “It’s been a lot of miles with some very special people, including the students and some long-time assistant coaches who have moved on, like Jesse Johnson and Lauren Cadwallader. I never accepted anything less than honest effort from athletes on the athletic field or in the classroom.”

Duffy was named conference coach of the year seven times. “Arguably, the most important thing I sought to instill was that running could be for grace,” Duffy said, “grace that all involved were blessed with the opportunity for fellowship and athletic competition.”
Retirement from cross country doesn’t mean Duffy will slow down much. 
His son, Colin Duffy, will be a freshman at Niwot next fall.  “He’s a soccer guy, which is a fall sport,” Duffy said.  Colin also plays basketball, where his father will remain as an assistant coach. 

Duffy began coaching basketball under Bob Banning when he first came to Niwot 20 years ago. Plans are in the works for a 20-year reunion of the 1993 state championship team, Duffy reports.

Duffy will also continue teaching at Niwot, and will also continue his 20 years of service as the Student Council sponsor.