We had a wonderful celebration event on Wednesday, November 24th. The theater was full of past runners, current runners, parents, friends of Jim Tracy, coaches from other schools and NCS Commissioner Gil Lemmon. For those of you not there, it was a fantastic day with a lot of memories and stories shared and most of all appreciation for a coach who has meant a great deal to hundreds of Red Devil student-athletes. We did record the event and DVDs are available for $25. If you are interested in acquiring one, please e-mail Mary Beth Todd at MaryBeth.Todd@sfuhs.org.
A special needs trust has legally been established for Jim Tracy. The Trust is not a 501-c-3 organization and donation are not tax-deductible. The goal of the trust is to use the money to cover as many of Jim’s expenses as permitted by law. The Trustees will oversee the trust and disperse its funds. If you wish to donate to please send your check as follows:
Payable to: Jim Tracy Special Needs Trust
Mail to:
University High School
Attn: Sue Davenport
3065 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Trustees: Jim Ketcham, Sue Davenport
Special Needs Trust Organizing Committee: Meridee Moore, Diane Rice and Kat Taylor
For those of you that did not get the chance to sign Jim’s guest book or who were not able to attend, if you would like to include a message for Jim, please email it to Marybeth.todd@sfuhs.org.
Thank you so very much for all of your support for Jim. He has been overwhelmed by the support he has been getting.
If you are also interested in hearing more information about fundraising for Jim in the future, please click here and fill out the necessary information.
Jim, I just seen your track clip on GMA this morning. I was diagnose 3 weeks ago with ALS. I’m just starting to loose my detail finger movements, so I know how difficult this can be. I’m trying to get as much motorcycle riding in before I cannot do it anymore. I wish you the best and hope you can have many more years ahead with your family and friends! Sincerly, Dean
I was watching GMA, today, and saw your story. My father had ALS and we discovered, by reading Dear Abby, that ALS had been designated a presumptive disease by the VA. You might want to go to the government website and see if you qualify. I hope this is helpful you in your new reality.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has published new regulations that designates amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — ALS — commonly called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, as a service-connected disease. The measure will provide full access to health and disability benefits to all veterans with ALS.
“Veterans are developing ALS in rates higher than the general population and it was appropriate to take action,” said James Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs, in a news release. “ALS is a disease that progresses rapidly, once it is diagnosed. There simply isn’t time to develop the evidence needed to support compensation claims before many veterans become seriously ill.”
In 2001, the department opted to provide service-connected benefits to Gulf War veterans after multiple studies found returning veterans were being diagnosed almost twice as often as civilians.
In addition, the connection between military service in the Gulf and ALS was strengthened by the fact that the disease typically affects people in their 50s, and 98 percent of Gulf War veterans are less than age 45.
More recent scientific studies have shown that the higher rates of ALS in veterans involve more than just those who served in the Gulf War. Harvard researchers found that men with any history of military service in the last century are at a nearly 60 percent greater risk of being diagnosed with the disease.
It is unknown what causes ALS or how it can be prevented, effectively treated or cured. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord.
The prognosis for a person diagnosed with ALS today — death in an average of two to five years — is the same as it was in 1869 when the disease was first recognized.
Jim’s story is inspiring. I may know this more then others since my mom passed away from ALS eight years ago. She may not have been as big an inspiration at the caliber that Jim is, but an inspiration none the less. She taught me a lot about life during her illness as it sounds like Jim is doing. I live in Reno and if there is any chance to get to meet him I would love that. It’s only a 4 hour drive to SF and one that it would be a pleasure to make. I’ll be making a small donation at the first of the year. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jim, his family and his athletes.
Best,
Sue Turbow
Reno, NV.
I am so inspired by Jim’s story. He has provided his team with the guidance and inspiration to win which not only rewarded them with the State Cross Country championship, but more importantly has provided them guidance for being winners for the rest of their lives through hard work, dedication and perseverance. That is a gift you cannot put a price tag on.
Good luck to Jim and his fight. With the support of his team, I know he will find comfort.
Wow…just wow…this relates to me so much because i am a high school runner myself and i totally understand whats the differences of methods of coaching can impact, and i also know someone on my team who lost his dad to ALS just last year.
Usually, when you hit the wall, you just lose that drive and to get to the point where Holland was down on her knees, to keep crawling means alot to me,its just so hard to find that energy and the reason to finish even with championship on the line, so you must have one heck of a coach to give you that last bit of energy. This inspired me to train even harder and from now on, i will always think about your story every time i am driving that last bit, no matter if its 1 km or just a lap.
And coach Tracy, please take care of yourself, you have plenty more championships to celebrate for in the coming years. You need to remember what Holland did, she didn’t back down and kept fighting, now so should you.
Take care and i will ALWAYS remember you and this great experience,
Ian
PS: Thanks for inspiring me to train even harder and remind me to never lose that drive, and giving me a reason to run, its so easy to lose that focus as you get faster.
Coach Tracy:
I live in Tennessee, and I am just a person who saw your face in the story about Holland and immediately wanted to pray for you and cheer you on! I have been walking through an illness with a friend who was told she probably has ALS, and we’ve both been finding our courage and care at the words we’ve heard from the Scriptures. I hope with all my heart that you will receive courage when you need it and the comfort from above as you need that, also. Here is a verse that I hope you will find encouragement in, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor THINGS TO COME, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” With much desire in my heart for your strengthening, Catherine Clark
Jim,
You won’t remember me but if you did it would be as the worst runner on the cross-country team at Riordan in 1967-68. One of the main reasons I stuck around on the team was to watch the end of every race (usually at Golden Gate Park) when the first runner became visible in the distance headed to the finish line. It was always a purple uniform. It was always you.
I haven’t been back to Riordan for any of the reunions but I’ve thought about going only to see if you were there. I remember all the hours running around Lake Merced or around the reservoir. I’ve always wondered how things turned out for you. From what I’ve read recently you are as well known as a coach as you were as an athlete.
I’ve been living in Minnesota for the past 25 years so I’m not close by but I have a very flexible schedule and could fly out to San Francisco at a moments notice. I don’t want to intrude but if there is anything I can do either large or small please let me know. I hope this message reaches you.
Take care,
Bob Ailes
boblaura99@aol.com
Coach Tracy,
I was sent several links pertaining to your story by a coaching friend of mine. I am not real familiar with what has transpired but I have read more than enough to tell that you are indeed a very special man. Often times when people fall ill or experience a crisis in their lives, people are drawn to the story and feel compelled to somehow get involved. I can see that your influence on your athletes, student and family began long before anyone became aware of your illness. Your illness has not made you a special man worthy of recognition, no, that honor you have earned by the example you set and the people’s lives you have changed.
I wish you nothing but the best and I hope you are able to continue to influence the lives of those around you for many, many years to come. As a fellow teacher and coach I am fully aware of the difference you have made in so many young lives.
God’s speed and may the loving support you have witnessed continue to give you and your family the support you will need.
Jim, I live in Connecticut and first heard of your story today while watching espn. I searched your story on line to learn more. I’ve learned that you are a much loved coach, athlete and teacher. I also know that what you have contributed to the lives of so many young people and to so many around you is immeasureable. My wife recently retired after 35 yrs of teaching and coaching and I’ve seen what her efforts have meant over the years. I also was a runner. I have had both hips replaced and can no longer run. There were many times I would go pound out ten miles or more to seek release of lifes frustrations. I so miss that so much now. I too have first hand experience from someone suffering with ALS. I know what you are going through. I pray there is a break through soon in it’s treatment and cure. Today I wrestle with varius issues of life but your struggle reminds me to be thankful for the Blessings I have. May God be with you.
Dear Coach Tracy:
Having witnessed my grandfather fight ALS for many, many years, I have only the highest regard for you given the struggle you have to make. I wish you all the best and hope that we’ll find a cure for you soon.
For others reading this comment, please visit the ALS Association at http://www.alsa.org to see what you can do to help in your area. (I am not connected with the organization; they’re just a tremendous bunch of people who do work around the country.)
Taking up where Bob Ailes left off . . . I’ve known of Jim since ’68 when I saw him win the large school division in Cross Country at Terra Nova high school. I went there to see my younger brothers run, but that was JIm Tracy’s day as everyone there would agree. Jim would go on to win Cross Country titles representing City College of San Francisco.
I took up serious road racing in about ’71, first attending Dolphin’s South End Runner’s meets in Golden Gate Park (casual stuff). As I got more and more serious and started to attend the AAU-sanctioned meets and also begin to win a few of those races, the Excelsior Track Club, specifically Mike Conroy, noticed me and convinced me to join the team in ’75.
By 1976, I was named Man of the Year by the Northern California Road Runner’s magazine, which is about the time I met Jim, who was also with Excelsior.
As years went by, I became fast friends with Jim (literally and figuratively speaking). We would run a bit with each other, but the real joy at spending time with him were the conversations. His wit and timing as far as his humor is concerned was incredible. On several occasions I wanted to tell him that he should become a stand-up comedian–but never did.
Fast forward to the last couple of years and we’ve got a different JIm in some ways, but I sure am glad he maintains that sense of humor.
The last e-mail I exchanged with him had Jim asking me how “I” was doing.
Typical Jim in a world that makes him an atypical individual and human being.
You can’t help loving the guy–especially if you know him like I and my younger brothers do.