Cross Country: Peoria Notre Dame high school coach Dan Gray earns hall of fame nod
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.
Key points
- "Dan can do both and it's a testament to his ability to connect, build, trust, motivate, and get results." 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.
- Gray has been coaching cross country and track & field for almost 40 years, spending the majority of the time at PND.
- Gray has also had a hand in four state champions: Caitlin Comfort (2006 Class AA cross country), C.J.
"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.
"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.
Additional details
- His coaching also helped the Irish claim a 2010 Class 2A cross country state championship and a 2007 Class 2A state runner-up finish.
- Elward (2009-10 Class 2A 3200-meter run) and Maryjeanne Gilbert (2014-15 Class 2A cross country).
- 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.
- “Some coaches show a clear skill at being able to excel at developing girls or boys," the ITCCCA said in its release.
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