PEORIA — Dan Gray is a hall of famer.
The Peoria Notre Dame cross country coach was announced as a member of the 2027 Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame class. Gray has been coaching cross country and track & field for almost 40 years, spending the majority of the time at PND.
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“When I took at the other names are in that hall of fame, it doesn’t feel like my name should be mentioned with other people,” Gray told the Journal Star. “So many of those guys and women are legendary, and I feel like I have just been around for 40 yards — whatever it is, it is a nice honor.”
He has served as both the Irish boys and girls cross country coach since 2014. Gray has also had a hand in four state champions: Caitlin Comfort (2006 Class AA cross country), C.J. Elward (2009-10 Class 2A 3200-meter run) and Maryjeanne Gilbert (2014-15 Class 2A cross country).
His coaching also helped the Irish claim a 2010 Class 2A cross country state championship and a 2007 Class 2A state runner-up finish.
Steamboat Hall of Fame inductee Dan Gray is all smiles as he nears the finish line of the 2022 Steamboat Classic 15K race Saturday, June 18, 2022 in downtown Peoria. Right behind him is RC Outfitters owner and longtime Peoria running advocate Adam White.
“Some coaches show a clear skill at being able to excel at developing girls or boys,” the ITCCCA said in its release. “Dan can do both and it’s a testament to his ability to connect, build, trust, motivate, and get results.”
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Gray, who spent 10 seasons as the PND boys track & field coach, was won four boys cross country regional titles along with a 2023 Class 1A girls cross country third-place finish to go with four regionals and two sectionals. The Irish won girls regional and sectional titles during the 2026 cross country season.
This also marks the 50th anniversary of the ITCCCA Hall of Fame.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Cross Country: Peoria Notre Dame high school coach Dan Gray earns hall of fame nod
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