The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Mourn Loss of Longtime Akron Track and Field Coach Al Campbell
December 03 | Cross Country, Track & Field
Follow Zips Track & Field on Twitter (@ZipsTFCC) and Facebook
Â
AKRON BEACON JOURNAL AL CAMPBELL FEATURE (SEPT. 21, 2019) | AKRON BEACON JOURNAL ARTICLE (DEC. 3, 2019)
Â
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron track and field program has announced the passing of Thomas A. Campbell, affectionately known as Al, 77, who led the Zips' track and field program from 1970-1995.
Â
Campbell spent over 30 years as a coach and educator at the University of Akron, while also coaching women's teams at Walsh University for nearly 20 years.
Â
A four-year letterwinner for the Zips in track and cross country, Campbell earned his bachelor's degree in education from Akron in 1964.
A graduate of Garfield High School in Akron, Campbell first burst onto Akron sports scene as a freshman in 1960 when he garnered first-place finishes, while establishing course records, in the initial two races of his Zips' career. In 1960, Campbell won the Touchdown Club Award as the Most Valuable Runner as a freshman. It was an honor Campbell was to receive in all four years of varsity competition – an achievement reached by no other Akron runner before or since.
Â
Campbell was a member of three undefeated track teams that captured the Ohio Conference Championships in 1961 (9-0), '62 (8-0) and '63 (8-0). The latter two seasons the Zips captured the NCAA Mideast Regional title as well. By the time Campbell concluded his career with another MVP Award in track he owned the records in the 2-mile, 3-mile and 4-mile events.
This past spring at the track meet named in his honor, Campbell was on campus at the Campbell/Wright Invitational on May 4 when Akron head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell announced that henceforth the indoor meet formerly known as the Zips Invitational would be renamed the Campbell Invitational (Feb. 21, 2020).
Â
"The Akron Track and Field/Cross Country program sends out our heartfelt condolences out to his family," Mitchell commented. "Every one of his former athletes I have had contact with over the years have had very warm and positive comments about Al. They all appreciated the tremendous influence he had on their lives. Each of the interactions I personally had with him over the years were always very uplifting and he will always be remembered at Akron. It was very meaningful to us, and to myself, that he was there at our last outdoor meet this past spring, named in his honor (Campbell/Wright Invitational), when we were able to name our final indoor home meet of the season moving forward after him."
Â
He was inducted into the Varsity 'A' Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, as well as the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.
Â
Campbell is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy, daughter Lisa Culp (John), son Pat (Patty Conti) and three grandchildren (J.T. Culp, Amy Sayre (husband Jeremy) and Katie Culp).
Â
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Â
AKRON BEACON JOURNAL AL CAMPBELL FEATURE (SEPT. 21, 2019) | AKRON BEACON JOURNAL ARTICLE (DEC. 3, 2019)
Â
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron track and field program has announced the passing of Thomas A. Campbell, affectionately known as Al, 77, who led the Zips' track and field program from 1970-1995.
Â
Campbell spent over 30 years as a coach and educator at the University of Akron, while also coaching women's teams at Walsh University for nearly 20 years.
Â
A four-year letterwinner for the Zips in track and cross country, Campbell earned his bachelor's degree in education from Akron in 1964.
A graduate of Garfield High School in Akron, Campbell first burst onto Akron sports scene as a freshman in 1960 when he garnered first-place finishes, while establishing course records, in the initial two races of his Zips' career. In 1960, Campbell won the Touchdown Club Award as the Most Valuable Runner as a freshman. It was an honor Campbell was to receive in all four years of varsity competition – an achievement reached by no other Akron runner before or since.
Â
Campbell was a member of three undefeated track teams that captured the Ohio Conference Championships in 1961 (9-0), '62 (8-0) and '63 (8-0). The latter two seasons the Zips captured the NCAA Mideast Regional title as well. By the time Campbell concluded his career with another MVP Award in track he owned the records in the 2-mile, 3-mile and 4-mile events.
This past spring at the track meet named in his honor, Campbell was on campus at the Campbell/Wright Invitational on May 4 when Akron head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell announced that henceforth the indoor meet formerly known as the Zips Invitational would be renamed the Campbell Invitational (Feb. 21, 2020).
Â
"The Akron Track and Field/Cross Country program sends out our heartfelt condolences out to his family," Mitchell commented. "Every one of his former athletes I have had contact with over the years have had very warm and positive comments about Al. They all appreciated the tremendous influence he had on their lives. Each of the interactions I personally had with him over the years were always very uplifting and he will always be remembered at Akron. It was very meaningful to us, and to myself, that he was there at our last outdoor meet this past spring, named in his honor (Campbell/Wright Invitational), when we were able to name our final indoor home meet of the season moving forward after him."
Â
He was inducted into the Varsity 'A' Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, as well as the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.
Â
Campbell is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy, daughter Lisa Culp (John), son Pat (Patty Conti) and three grandchildren (J.T. Culp, Amy Sayre (husband Jeremy) and Katie Culp).
Â
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Akron Indoor Track & Field - Al Campbell Invitational
Friday, February 17
Akron Indoor Track & Field Dual vs. Kent State
Friday, January 20
2022 Akron Zips Athletics - Logo Reveal - 5/9/22
Monday, May 09
2021-22 Akron Zips This Week in Akron Athletics - 4/26/22
Tuesday, April 26
