|
When former St. Joe's coach Mike Diggins died last May, the Western
New York running community lost one of its best-liked and most respected
members. Mike's passion for running and for runners took him from his
competitive days at Bishop Timon H.S. and Mississippi State through a
40-year teaching and coaching career at three Buffalo schools –- Bishop
Fallon, Bishop Turner, and most notably at St. Joe's -- until his retirement
in 2006. Mike stayed close to his South Buffalo Irish roots, and his quick
wit, enthusiasm, and mentoring style endeared him to two generations of
students and runners. Mike's favorite meet was McQuaid. He brought
his teams to Rochester thirty-six times, and logged a lot of miles racing to
good viewing points around the glen. Mike leaves a wife and three children
– and countless young men whose lives he enriched. His infectious spirit
will surely be with us today at Genesee Valley Park. Enjoy it all, Mike!
|
