SIOUX FALLS – Richard Greeno, one of the most iconic and legendary figures in South Dakota track and field history, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Greeno, who served as track and field/cross country head coach at the University of Sioux Falls from 1991-2004, was inducted into USF Athletics Hall of Fame in fall 2016.

"We are saddened to hear about the passing of Coach (Rich Greeno), who was a gentle man and a great coach who had a significant impact on so many athletes and coaches," said USF Athletic Director Josh Snyder. "We send our condolences and prayers to the Greeno family, including his son, Mark (Greeno) and daughter LuAnn (Murren), four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Rich was a special man and will be missed," he said.

Visitation with family present will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, 401 South Spring Avenue. The memorial service will begin at 1:30 pm on Friday, March 31, 2017 at First United Methodist Church. A private interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Over six plus decades, Greeno, who was named to the National High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and later selected to the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, made a significant impact on a large number of student-athletes and coaches at both the high school and collegiate level in track and field and cross country. He became an iconic figure beloved across the state and region.

"Rich was the youngest of eight Greeno kids who all went into education, providing 552 years of combined teaching (273 years of coaching) experiences," said Mike Henriksen, a long-time sportscaster in South Dakota, who is co-host with Mark Ovenden for the popular Calling All Sports radio program and served with Greeno on the SD Sports Hall of Fame Committee. "He was truly one of the best this state produced. Even as he aged, and his voice faded, he would grab your arm to pull you in close and then share an encouraging word about something you had done or find out how things were going. The number of people he influenced in a positive way is immeasurable. I will miss him and his gentle spirit," said Henriksen.

Born near Britton, S.D., on July 26, 1928, Greeno, who won a 440-yard dash state title as a high school senior, graduated from Langford H.S. in 1946 and from Northern State in 1950 and began coaching that same year in Philip. There, he met and married his wife, Rosemary, who was working in a local government office. They relocated to Yankton where he was athletic director along with coach of track and field and cross country from 1954-68.  From there, the venerable Greeno moved onto Sioux Falls Lincoln High School, where he was named national high school track coach of the year in 1974 and national cross country coach of the year in 1990.

During his time with Lincoln (1968-90), he led the Patriots to 11 state cross country titles, including all nine in the 1970s. While there, the Patriots' track team won eight state titles, including all but one from 1969-76. Six times in each sport his teams finished second at state. His teams put together win streaks of 87 cross country duals and 52 track duals. Greeno's record includes 36 conference titles, 31 regional titles and 19 state titles in cross country and track, 76 relay or individual state champions and 13 individual cross country gold medal winners.

After leaving Lincoln High School, Greeno's impact was, in some ways, just beginning. Encouraged to come to the University of Sioux Falls, he helped build a track and field/cross country program, noted legendary USF football coach Bob Young, who recruited him to the Cougars athletic department.

"I remember at the time, our president at USF didn't know if we could afford Rich (Greeno)," related Young, who was then the athletic director USF. "But I don't think that Rich cared how much he was paid. After he had retired from Lincoln HS after a great run, we talked and he wanted the challenge of coaching collegiate athletes. He just loved working with young athletes so much with only a goal of helping them improve. You see, Rich just loved track and field and cross country so much," said Young.

Beyond his love for running sports, what impressed Young about the soft-spoken and humble Greeno was his absolute interest and subsequent caring for student-athletes.
"It didn't matter how good the athlete was, Rich was interested in working to improve the athlete," Young said. "For him that is what mattered most because he could see the student-athlete grow, develop and mature."

Current USF Assistant Athletic Director Daniel Vander Woude didn't run for him but rather for his son Mark at Sioux Falls Lincoln. Nonetheless, Vander Woude was impacted by Rich Greeno like so many others.

"If you're from this area and have ever taken up running, there's a great chance that you know about Rich as the Greeno name is synonymous with running in South Dakota," said Vander Woude. "I had the pleasure of running for his son (Mark), and through this experience, I learned of the enormous impact Rich had not just on his own teams, but on runners throughout the state and region. He was a special man," said Vander Woude.

Greeno, noted Young, wasn't a "tough love" coach; he established his own style, which was one molded in caring and love. "He really invested himself in the student-athletes. Every one of them that I have known remember him as someone that impacted their lives. That is a real legacy," said Young.

At USF, Young developed a colleagueship with Greeno, who was closer to his age than many other staff members.

On recruiting trips, the two would embark to areas across the state and region. "It didn't matter, he went where I needed to go and I went with him. We really got to know each other in those trips," said Young. "It was a special time of the two of us together."

Greeno, who was head track and field/cross country coach at USF from 1991-2004 and a volunteer coach from 2008-13, took on the challenge of building the program and left with four cross country championships and six times was named coach of the year.  He also helped lead USF to various SDIC conference titles.
 
Longtime USF administrator Ken "SID" Kortemeyer, called Greeno the "Father of Modern Track and Field/Cross Country" at USF.

"Give Coach Young credit, he brought coach Greeno here in the early 1990s. Over 13 years, he became an accomplished recruiter. He was an all-around good guy. He helped us win some conference titles and a real impactful person at this university," said Kortemeyer, who had an office right next to Greeno. "He was such a wonderful person that won't be forgotten."