Former Iowa women’s track coach Jerry Hassard died on Feb. 4, the UI confirmed on Tuesday.

He was 61.

The Long Island, N.Y., native spent 20 years in Iowa City as the Hawkeyes’ head women’s track coach. He coached 50 All-Americans and 44 Big Ten champions during his tenure with the Black and Gold.

Jerald Michael Hassard was born in 1950, and he set several state track records while a student at Cranston High School East. He received a full ride to Rhode Island, received a bachelor of science degree in 1972, and started his coaching career at St. Xavier Academy in Providence, R.I. He later founded the Rhode Island Women’s Track Club, which went on to win a New England championship.

After his two decades in Iowa City, he coached both men’s and women’s track at Bryant University in Rhode Island.

Hassard’s family requests that memorial contributions be made to Friends of the Peace Dale Library in Rhode Island or to Save the Bay.

— by Seth Roberts