Pat Becher announced his retirement Monday at the Sports Arena. Video by Jared Shuff.

By Brenna Eller
Editor In Chief

Pat Becher, Hutchinson Community College’s head track coach is nearing the finish line of his 34-year-long career.

On Monday at the Blue Dragons’ weekly news conference, Becher announced that he will be retiring after the 2019 season and gave thanks to everyone who supported him and helped him get to where he is. His official end date will be June 30.

Becher became head track coach in 1985, and from there, brought the program to where it is now. He is also the longest tenured coach to have been with HutchCC.

HutchCC has hosted the NJCAA Outdoor Track and field Championships six times and will again this year under Becher.

Over the years, Becher has had 25 individual NJCAA National Champions, 27 individual NJCAA Runners-up, more than 1000 NJCAA All-Americans and an Olympian, Steve Fritz.

Having coached four Region VI championship teams and earning the Region VI men’s title in 1996, 1997, 2012, and 2013 Becher will be ending on an accomplishing note.

Not only was he named Men’s National Track and Field Coach of the year for three years and Region VI Track Coach of the Year seven times, Becher was also inducted into the Quarterback Hall of Fame in 2014 and in 2017 inducted into the NJCAA Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Leaving under positive circumstances, not burnt out or tired of coaching, but missing out on his time with his family, Becher and his wife plan to move closer to their grandchildren and spend more time with them and watch them grow up.

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