LYNN — By definition, tigers are a well-respected breed. At Lynn Tech High School, so is this one.
Bringing a new meaning to Tiger Pride, Lynn’s James Runner just about does it all.
Channeling his inner Bruce Wayne, he’s an administrative monitor during the day, and a three-sport head coach (football, winter and spring track) once the bell rings.
“Coach Runner is the ultimate Lynn Tech Tiger,” said Athletic Director Adolph Graciale.
It’s true. Sporting his widely-popular school sweatshirt and khakis, Runner can be seen – front row – cheering on other Tech teams.
Nothing can stop him from visiting the weight room, either, bringing his fair share of claps and high fives.
“I cheer them on and push them,” said Runner, a Lynn Classical graduate whose father, James Sr., was the captain of the state championship-winning Classical football team in 1980. “We’re a tight community here at the school. We make these kids feel like they belong here.”
Tight community, indeed. Runner can’t get enough of his co-workers, starting with Graciale.
“He’s always got a positive attitude and a positive vibe,” Runner said of Graciale, who used to be his assistant football coach. “When he got appointed as AD, it was like a match made in Heaven.”
Then there’s track and swim coach John Hogan.
“When we got together for track, that was kind of like a marriage, too,” Runner said. “He works his tail off to help young athletes and get them involved in running and swimming. I have a different avenue in football, but the drive is the same. We push our kids to become the best athletes they can be.”
But he could go all day.
“I wanted to be around people who work as hard as I do – people who create a culture of athletics at the school,” Runner said.
When asked to pick his favorite part about coaching football – the game he loves, as Runner used to be an assistant coach at St. Mary’s under Mike Stellato, and was defensive coordinator at Dean College – he pointed to the sport’s required preparation.
“I love scouting, going out and finding new schemes, opponents, and people you get to play against,” he said. “I’ll never say that it’s something I get tired of. I love generating schemes to play in a football game – that’s probably my number one.”
As for track, it’s offering “individual support.”
“I do everything I can to help,” Runner said. “People lie, but numbers don’t. I love seeing their numbers drop.”
And just because the graduation cap gets tossed into the air, doesn’t mean student relationships go with it.
“I think that’s my best number,” said Runner, who ran into three former players at a Lynn barber shop this week. “I’d say at least every week, I get a phone call from someone who played for me.”
This year, which will include Runner’s 15th season as head football coach, he has a New Year’s resolution in mind.
“It’s to be a little bit more prepared, and not settle for less,” he said.
But if there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that Runner will keep making a difference on Neptune Boulevard.
“He’s not only a coach and monitor, but a role model to hundreds of students at Lynn Tech and the Lynn community,” Graciale said. “It’s a pleasure to not only have him as a coach for three sports, but as a friend.”
