Help Us Honor the Legacy of Bob Behr: Coach, Teacher and Community Leader
Your gift will help create an endowment to support a track meet, a coaching internship and citizen-athlete award in Delaware.
New This Year: 2 Internships will be awarded
In 2017 Coach Behr was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame to honor his unprecedented success coaching Cross Country and Track and Field at Tower Hill School, and for his leadership in the development of women athletes through the Delaware Track and Field Club.
To honor his coaching legacy, two paid coaching internships ($2,500 each) will place an aspiring coaching candidate with a proven mentor for a full season of Track and Field. The intern will learn both by experience on the job and by study in such areas as training and racing physiology, technique, technology, team dynamics, and meet management.
What it means to be a Bob Behr track intern
By Christina Allen
Christina Allen was awarded a Bob Behr Track Coaching Internship for the spring of 2024 at McKean High School. Below Christina describes in her own words what that meant to her.
It is such an honor to be a part of the Friends of Bob Behr’s Internship Program and the long-lasting legacy that will forever be remembered and cherished for future generations. It is very important to speak upon “one's passions/strengths and weaknesses” especially if it is what you value, create a clear plan, prioritize your goals, cultivate good habits, learn from mistakes and be open minded towards new and exciting opportunities. Everyday whether I am in the classroom or on the field, my top priority are the kids. This internship program is very important because there is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It is why I am born, to be of service and follow the path that was created for me, naturally. Both teaching and coaching is one of many callings that bring complete happiness, but I had to be an attentive student first before guiding others to greatness.
The Friends of Bob Behr internship program is led by exceptional leaders and the multitude of friends that Bob Behr has inspired and uplifted throughout his life. One can say, he was a “man of many talents'' and creative pursuits. I deeply resonated with Bob Behr values making education and fitness fun. I have always said, “the sport does not make you, you make the sport” because hard work beats talent when talent CHOOSES not to work hard.
I am currently employed as a high school teacher for Jobs for Delaware Graduates at Thomas McKean High School and a track & field coach at the school. I also personally train individuals of all age groups 12 into infinity and uniquely design workouts specific for each individual. I believe in encouragement and making that individual feel special while building a healthy rapport with them. The more special, the more that person feels seen. Education is the apex of importance and physical fitness is just as important. However, there is a major issue when students put the concerns of their athletics first when they should be treated equally.
I have learned that coaching is unlocking a person's potential to maximize their growth. One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals. A good coach can change a game and a great coach can change a life. Teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is inspiring change. That's exactly why the Bob Behr internship program was created and it's truly a pleasure being a part of this exciting opportunity and I look forward to making Bob Behr proud as I pursue my future endeavors. Kids are the future and they deserve to feel special even step of the way as they progress through life.
Bob Behr Community Service Award Announcement for 2024
INTRODUCING ISAIAH TURMAN
Isaiah Turman of Wilmington Friends School, is the inaugural recipient of the Friends of Bob Behr Association Community Service Award.
Affectionately known as Zae, he is a gifted track and field athlete, particularly excelling in short distances and the triple jump. Beyond the realm of sports, Zae's leadership extends to his school community. He admirably represented Wilmington Friends School at the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the People of Color Conference, bringing back insights and ideas to promote inclusivity and diversity within our school. He is also an active member of the Black Student Union and Gender Sexuality Alliance, where he is often described as “the best ally ever!”
Zae's commitment to community service is truly inspiring. His involvement with The Brothers Brunch nonprofit exemplifies his dedication to fostering positive change and building a more loving and active community. Through partnerships with organizations like Young Men United and 100 Black Men, Zae's efforts to feed, clothe, and support the homeless in Wilmington and Philadelphia underscore his commitment to making a tangible impact. Zae was also part of a service trip to Haiti where he visited schools and orphanages to provide necessary food and aid..
Friends of Bob Behr Mission Statement
Who we are: The Friends of Bob Behr Association is a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware. We are friends, colleagues, former students, and track and field athletes who were taught, coached, mentored, and inspired by Bob Behr during our high school years and have benefited from his wisdom throughout our lives. We wish to honor Bob’s unparalleled contributions to the sport of Track and Field and his lasting positive influence on coaches, students, and athletes.
Why we came together: Bob was a uniquely talented teacher and coach who led us to unprecedented success in both Cross Country and Track and Field, instilled in us a love of reading, and taught us writing skills that have served us well beyond our school years. We are seeking to honor Bob in ways that promote the lessons he shared in a life of community service to others.
What we are planning: Our objective is to establish enduring reminders of Bob’s contributions to high school student-athletes, to the coaching community, and to the sport of Track and Field, as well as his passion for helping underserved members of the broader community to master vital reading and writing skills.
We will establish an endowment fund of $50,000 that will provide an annual income of $6000 to support a coaching internship and a Citizen-Athlete award which will be given at the annual Bob Behr Invitational Track and Field Meet.
NOTE: Friends of Bob Behr Association has been recognized as a tax-exempt charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions to Friends of Bob Behr Association are eligible for the charitable deduction for tax purposes.
Our Plan
Annual Bob Behr Invitational Track Meet
Coach Behr was an outstanding collegiate sprinter, initiated a Track and Field team while serving in the Air Force, developed individual and team state champions over 19 years at Tower Hill School, and served as a volunteer coach and meet announcer at Williams College during his 33 years there in Alumni Relations.
The Bob Behr Invitational Track and Field Meet will be held at the Tower Hill School facility beginning in 2022 and managed and staffed by the New Castle County Coaches Cross Country and Track Association.
Coaching Internship
In 2017 Coach Behr was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame to honor his unprecedented success coaching Cross Country and Track and Field at Tower Hill School, and for his leadership in the development of women athletes through the Delaware Track and Field Club.
To honor his coaching legacy, this paid coaching internship ($2,500) will place an aspiring coaching candidate with a proven mentor for a full season of either Outdoor Track and Field, Indoor Track and Field, or Cross Country. The intern will learn both by experience on the job and by study in such areas as training and racing physiology, technique, technology, team dynamics, and meet management.
Community Service Award
Coach Behr was passionate about improving diversity and inclusiveness in the charged atmosphere of the 1960’s and 70’s; his devotion to community service never waned. At the Bob Behr Invitational Track and Field Meet an award will be presented to a deserving participant who has demonstrated leadership in community relations and service.
Help Support Track and Field in Delaware and honor Coach Behr's exceptional contributions to the sport and his long lasting positive influence on coaches, students, and athletes in our state.
About US
Friends of Bob Behr
We are friends, colleagues, students, Track and Field and Cross Country athletes who were taught and coached by Bob Behr during our high school years in the 1960's, 70’s and 80"s.
Bradford Behr
Son of Coach Bob Behr, Brad co-captained the Mount Greylock Regional High School track squad as a high jumper and 200/400 sprinter and competed in those same events for Williams College. He won the 1992 Division III New England indoor high jump crown.
Gil Birney '68
Gil was State Champion in the Two Mile in 1966 and ’67 and co-captain with Larry Thornton of the undefeated Cross Country and Track teams in ’67-'68.
Jeff Brokaw '69
Jeff was a multi year State Champion in Cross Country and Track and Field and held multiple school and state records. His record of winning 4 consecutive miles int the State Meet is a record that still stands.
Chuck Durante '69
Chuck lettered in the distance events in high school (1968-69) and at Haverford College. A freelance sportswriter throughout his career as a lawyer, he has become an historian, chronicler and raconteur of Delaware high school sports.
Karl Klauck '67
Karl was co-captain of the 1966 Cross Country Team. In Track, Karl was the 1st at TH to compete in the 2 mile in his Senior year. Prior to that Karl competed in the mile and 180 Low Hurdles (4th in States). Karl ran with the Mile Relay Team at Penn Relays in 1967. Coach Behr affectionately called Karl the greatest micro running machine in the state.
Ed Lincoln '67
Ed managed Cross Country and Track in his junior and senior year. Later at Harvard, helped by a strong recommendation from Bob to coach Bill McCurdy, he was lead manager of Cross Country and Track and Field for 3 years.
Ed Mongan '69
Ed was a high school State Champion in the triple jump and went on to set records in several events at the University of Delaware. He won the IC4A indoor 440 yard championship.
Bill Neff '65
Bill was a 3-event State Champion (high jump, 120 yd high hurdles, 180 low hurdles) for the 1964 Track Team, and Captain of the 1965 State Champion Track & Field Team. He set a State Record in the Pole Vault in 1965.
Lawrence Thornton '68
Larry served as Co-Captain of the undefeated State Champions in Cross Country (1967) and Track (1968). He finished 3rd in the 1967 Cross Country state championships and second in the 880 (1968).
Mac Thornton '65
Mac was Group II Cross Country State Champion in 1963 and State mile champ in 1965. Mac also held school track records in the half mile and mile. He was captain of the State Champion XC team in 1964.
Ken Williams '76
Ken was a nine time high school record setting State Champion. At the University of Pennsylvania Ken was a 2-time indoor and outdoor Heptagonal High Hurdle Champion and team Captain.
Bob Behr was an innovative, forward-looking coach who introduced women’s track in Delaware.
Help us support Track and Field while honoring a great teacher, coach and community leader.