Track Program at Cleveland Again Derailed

For the second time in four seasons, the Cleveland High track and field program has folded because of a lack of coaches.

According to Athletic Director Everett Macy, the team’s coach for the past two seasons, a dearth of qualified assistants forced him to again table the program. Macy, also the school’s football coach, has been the lone on-campus coach of the track team for the past two seasons.

“From doing both football and track, I can tell you that track is definitely the most difficult,” Macy said. “The time it takes to prepare for a meet is more than one guy can handle.”

Cleveland students will be allowed to participate as unattached athletes at other high school meets and can qualify for City Section postseason meets, he said.

As a result of the move, the remaining seven teams in the Northwest Valley Conference will have a bye in the schedule. The North Valley League will consist only of Granada Hills, San Fernando and Kennedy.

The Cleveland program folded in 1990 under the same circumstances. However, Macy transferred to Cleveland in July, 1990, and took over the track program the following spring. Previously, more often than not, the program had been passed from coach to coach, Macy said.

Recent track coaches include former football Coach Steve Landress and former basketball Coach Bob Braswell. Both served in a temporary capacity to keep the program afloat, Macy said.

The school will attempt to resuscitate the program in 1994 if a coach can be found, said Macy, who would prefer an on-campus teacher to fill the position.

Macy’s volunteer assistants of the past two seasons, none of whom are full-time teachers, were unavailable for this season.

Cleveland has several talented track athletes, including Neisha Henderson who placed third with a long jump of 17 feet in the 1992 City finals.