Bob Oates

Head Coach

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 518-861-6834

A native of Long Island, Bob Oates, has been running ever since the 7th grade. After a brief stint attending Mepham High, Oates attended JFK-Bellmore where he ran under the legendary Al Berkowski (of �The Running School� fame). Oates boasted personal bests of 2-flat in the 880y, a 4:29 mile, a 9:42 �deuce� and a 12:58 over VCP�s classic 2.5 miles. Willing to try almost anything, Oates took to the sport of racewalking in tenth grade, where he was National ranked. Oates attended college at SUNY-Cortland where he competed in cross-country, swimming and lacrosse. This is also where he discovered his love of dance. Oates would eventually study dance at the Arthur Murray School of Dance. After receiving his Bachelors in Physical Education, Oates went on to earn his Masters in Reading and Administration at the University at Albany.

Oates took his first teaching job in the Bethlehem School District where he also coached indoor & outdoor track, football and soccer. Due to cut-backs in the school district, Oates moved to the Guilderland School District where he has been ever since. Oates served as a coach for Guilderland�s indoor & outdoor track teams from 1979 to 1984. After serving as Principal of both Lynnwood and Westmere elementary schools, Oates decided to get back to his roots as a physical educator. In 1996, Oates took a teaching job at the high school, which allowed him to take over as head coach of the cross-country team.

Oates is also a well-accomplished race director. His resume of races include the infamous European XC Summer Races at Tawasentha Park that were held for 26 consecutive years, taking runners across the Normanskill Creek on six various courses. He has also directed such legendary races as the �I�ve Gone Banana�s 8 Mile� that took place Boilermaker�s eve at 2 am in Albany, an Anti-AAU 8 mile in 1978, the Apple-Day 10k and the Pine Bush XC race. His races are well known for their fun-spirited, un-orthodox awards which have ranged from apple pies, vinyl records, and various produce items.

Oates lives in Guilderland Center with his wife Mary, his two boys Matt & Kevin where they care for 29 farm animals.

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