Coach Torpey Photo Gallery
PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle University community is mourning the sudden loss of long-time head cross country and track coach, Charles Torpey, who passed away on Friday. Torpey, 58, won 16 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors, including 13 in cross country, and led his teams to 15 Atlantic 10 Championships during his illustrious 17-year tenure at La Salle.
Services: Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Church of St. Mary, 40 Spring Mount Road, Schwenksville. Internment immediately following at Washington Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge.
Visitation: Friends may call for the viewing on Friday evening from 7-9 PM at the R.L. Williams, Jr. Funeral Home, Skippack Pike at Cedars Rd. Skippack.
Memorials: Contributions may be made to La Salle University Cross Country/Track and Field in memory of Charles Torpey (La Salle Athletics, 1900 West Olney Avenue, Box 805, Philadelphia, PA 19141)
“Coach Charles Torpey will be long, and fondly, remembered by the La Salle University community," La Salle President Brother Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C., Ph.D. said. "For 17 years, his program has been a point of pride for La Salle. His passion for running and coaching is legendary. His relationship with the student-athletes on his teams was special. Based on a deep respect of each individual, he lived out the Lasallian value of personal attention through commitment and encouragement.”
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Charles Torpey,” Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Brennan said. “He was clearly a great track and cross country coach—as evidenced by his many awards and successful runners. More importantly, however, Coach Torpey positively affected the lives of the numerous student-athletes who came through La Salle's program over the last 17 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Janice, and children, Christopher, Brian and Jenna, during this very difficult time.”
In cross country, Torpey's teams captured 13 A-10 Championships. His men's team won four straight from 2001-04 and added titles in 1999, 2006, and 2007. On the women's side, the Explorers won four consecutive championships from 2004-07 and titles in 2001 and 2002.
Nine individual runners captured individual Atlantic 10 Cross Country titles under Torpey's guidance, including five straight women's championships from 2002-06.
His teams have been ranked regionally every year since 1998. He tutored 41 All-District runners, nine NCAA qualifiers and two All-Americans during his remarkable tenure.
In track and field, the Explorers won a pair of A-10 Championships. Nearly 300 athletes won individual A-10 track titles and 20 won Conference Most Outstanding Performer recognition. He coached seven All-Americans and 51 NCAA Regional qualifiers.
Torpey was previously the head coach at the University of Maryland from 1981-88 where he coached 12 All-Americans and 13 ACC Track Champions.
A graduate of Keene State University, Torpey is survived by his wife, Janice, and children Christopher, Brian, and Jenna.
