Orono, Maine – Mark Lech, who has served in both assistant coach and head coach roles during his 25 year career with the University of Maine cross country and track & field programs, has announced his retirement. Lech will step down from his role as head cross country and track & field coach on June 30, 2022.
 
Lech, who coached UMaine to the 2004 America East Men's Cross Country Championship title, joined the Black Bears as head cross country coach and assistant track & field coach in 1998 before being elevated to his current role as head coach for both cross country and track & field in 2006. Lech was named the America East Coach of the Year in 2004. A new record on the men's team has been set each year since he took the helm of the program in 1998.

"I'd like to join the entire UMaine community in wishing Mark great joy and happiness as he transitions into retirement," Director of Athletics Ken Ralph says. "For the past quarter-century, Mark has left his imprint on the track & field and cross country programs at the University of Maine. Hundreds of athletes have benefited from his expertise, wisdom, and humor during his time in Orono. Thank you Mark for being a great Black Bear!"
 
Under Lech's guidance, numerous Black Bears have flourished in the distance ranks. Lech was instrumental in guiding Riley Masters to the 2009 America East Indoor and Outdoor Most Outstanding Rookie awards as well as becoming the first Black Bear to break the 4-minute mile barrier. Masters would go on to the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships in the mile where his fifth-place finish would grant him All-American honors.
 
"As a person, it is difficult to find someone with greater character than Mark Lech," Masters says. "While Mark shaped my athletic career, I am far more grateful for how he shaped the person I have become. Mark remains one of my closest friends."
 
"One of my fondest memories of running at UMaine was moments after breaking 4-minutes in the mile for the first time, I looked up into the stands and saw Mark," Masters continued. "While the rest of the UMaine team was going wild, Mark gave me a slight nod and cracked an even slighter grin. While we had just accomplished something we had worked very hard to achieve, he never let me settle. At that moment, I knew Mark and I were on to the next goal."
 
In 2016, Lech mentored America East men's individual champion Jesse Orach to the title. Previously, Lech helped guide University of Maine Hall of Famer, and multiple time All-American, Corey Conner to the 2009 America East title. Conner would go on to place ninth at the NCAA Regional before competing on the grandest stage at the NCAA Championships in three different sports. Lech also played a key role in the development of 12-time America East Champion, and current American Ninja Warrior star, Jesse Labreck.
 
Adding to his impressive legacy of mentoring athletes at the highest level at Maine, Lech worked with James Olivier to help develop him towards winning the Under 20 national title in the 800m event. Lech's impressive ability to develop student-athletes in the distance events also included the success of Kelton Cullenberg competing at the cross country nationals and Kirby Davis achieving a pair of America East individual cross country titles.
 
Under Lech's guidance, leadership, and training regiments, Conner, Masters, Cullenberg, Labreck, and Joe Moody all achieved greatness in advancing to the final rounds of the NCAA Championships in their respective competitions. This impressive achievement equated to each being among the top-20 individual athletes in the country in their events.
 
 Overall, Lech has mentored numerous champions and All-Americans who have gone on to represent UMaine on some of track & field's largest stages.
 
The cross country and track & field programs have consistently achieved high marks in the classroom under the leadership of Lech while also remaining active throughout the community.
 
Prior to joining the Black Bears, Lech spent 15 years as a student and as a coach at Northeastern University. As head coach with the Huskies, Lech achieved seven Coach of the Year honors between cross country and track and field and was named the New England Intercollegiate Athletic Association Division I Coach of the Year for both indoor and outdoor track in 1991. Lech guided the Huskies to 10 conference championships.
 
A 1979 graduate of Northeastern, Lech was a two-time All-American for the Huskies, placing second in the nation in 1978 and third in 1977 in the 800-meter run. He also competed in the 1980 Olympic Trials in the 800 meters. Lech credits his wife, Tricia, as being helpful and influential in all of his successes during his tenure at the University of Maine.

-UMaine-