Jayhawks track and field coach named Coach of the Year

Courtesy photo/Joe Loffredo

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Joe Loffredo, who coaches track and field at St. Joseph Catholic High School, is the Utah High School Activities Association's 2021 2A Coach of the Year. He is shown with Jayhawks Katie Sugiyama (right) and Virginia Tomon (left).

OGDEN — Joe Loffredo, who coaches track and field at St. Joseph Catholic High School, has been named the 2A Coach of the Year by the Utah High School Activities Association.

“It’s a nice honor; I feel very lucky and appreciative,” said Loffredo, who has helped coach student athletes at the school since 2006, when he was hired by then-head girls’ basketball coach Steve Morris as his assistant coach. “That opened up doors for me from then on,” Loffredo said.

The following year, the school was in need of a track and field coach. None of the other coaches had time to fill the position, so Loffredo, who had been a runner in high school and lettered in basketball, baseball, cross country and track, stepped up. He has served as head track and field coach ever since.

In addition to that position, Loffredo served as the assistant boys’ basketball coach for three years and has also helped coach the golf team.

Under his leadership, the track and field program has seen tremendous growth. Two athletes set state records: Kathleen Toman, who was coached by Jeremiah Johnson, did so in discus; and Andrea Chavez, who was coached by her father, Javier Chavez, and Lisa Reed, did so in the 800 meters.

The Jayhawks also won three state track and field championships from 2008 to 2010 and took second in 2011. The girls’ team has finished in the top 10 at state 13 times and the boys have claimed that honor seven times.

Loffredo was nominated for the Coach of the Year award by athletic director Alex Salvo.

“Joe is an inspiration to all of us,” Salvo wrote in his nomination letter. “I always say to others that he is a walking legend at our school. He graduated in the ’70s, but he never really left. Coach Loffredo is synonymous with what a high school coach is supposed to be: loyal, passionate knowledgeable, well-liked and a true gentleman.”

Given Loffredo’s reputation at the school, it may not be surprising that during the interview for this article he was most concerned about acknowledging others who have contributed to the success of the Jayhawks’ track and field program.

“I’m grateful to all of my assistant coaches and the athletes for their dedication,” he said. That includes Alex Shaw, a former St. Joseph runner who this year is coaching long distance.

Loffredo also expressed appreciation for the administration at Ben Lomond High School, which allows the St. Joseph team to use its field for practices, and for the assistant coaches there who have provided assistance.

“Track has so many different events you have to have help,” Loffredo said.

Now that he is retired from his career as a management analyst at Hill Air Force Base, Loffredo has more time to devote to the team, allowing him to help the athletes with preconditioning, he said.

“I look forward to it; it gets me out and I have more time now,” he said. “When I was working it was pretty hectic, especially when I was doing basketball and track at the same time.”

Loffredo will receive his award at a UHSAA banquet in January.