DEVINE NAMED WESTFIELD STATE MEN AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY COACH

Bill Devine

Westfield State announced the hiring of Bill Devine as the head coach of its men's and women's cross country teams.

Devine has been a highly respected and successful coach at Monson High School for more than 30 years. In addition, the Westfield native and 1974 Westfield State College graduate is a member of the college's Athletics Hall of Fame.

"I am honored and excited to be the new men's and women's cross country coach at Westfield State College," said Devine. "Westfield State has provided an enriching environment, a mult-dimensional education, and the tools necessary for me to succeed. I am proud once again to be part of such an incredible institution.

"I met many outstanding teachers and coaches at Westfield State; they all played an important part of my life and I hope to bring the same enthusiasm they showed me to the students-athletes at WSC," he added. "I look forward to continuing the outstanding tradition that coaches Jerry Gravel and Bob Rausch have established at Westfield State."

Devine, who retired as an high school art teacher in 2007, served as both the varsity cross country and boys' basketball head coach at Monson High School since 1976. In cross country, his teams compiled a 262-128 record with five league titles and a Western Mass. runner-up finish in 2002.

After a three-year stint (1993-95) as the track and field head coach at Palmer High School, Devine instituted the Monson High School track and field program in 1996. He received Monson High School's Distinguished Service Award in 1995.

Devine remains busy during the summer months by working at numerous basketball camps. He was an executive board member of the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association from 1980-2007, and was the association's president in 2001. He received the association's Division III coach of the year award in 1994.

Along with being inducted into the Westfield State College Hall of Fame in 2005, Devine was the Springfield Republican newspaper's Division III coach of the year in 2007. Also in 2007, the Monson track and field facility was renamed the William T. Devine Track and Field Complex.

Devine was a valuable member of the Westfield State track and field team during its formative years in the early 1970s. The Westfield native was a team captain whose work ethic was an inspiration to his teammates.

Devine was not one of Westfield State's most gifted athletes, but he did earn all-conference honors in the 200 meter dash and as a member of the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams. The Owls' 4 x 400 relay squad finished seventh in his senior year (1974) at the NCAA Division III national championships with a time of 3:19.6.

Prior to attending Westfield State, Devine served a tour of duty with the Marines in Vietnam. Fluent in Vietnamese, he interrogated prisoners of war. Westfield State Hall of Fame track and field coach Jerry Gravel calls Devine the most mentally tough athlete that he has ever coached and a great role model.

Devine graduated from Westfield High School in 1965, and participated in football, basketball and track and field. He received the William Crane Trophy for excellence in scholarship and athletics and the Rod Tyler Award for excellence in track.

Devine majored in art at Westfield State and received a master's degree in art from Assumption College in 1981. Devine is extremely proud that many of his Monson High School students continued their educations at prestigious art colleges. Furthermore, he has coached many runners who have participated in intercollegiate sports.

Devine becomes the sixth Westfield State graduate and fourth WSC Hall of Fame inductee now coaching at his alma mater. Lou Simchak (softball), Ray Arra (baseball), and Heather Cabral (field hockey) are Westfield State's other head coaches who are Hall of Fame members.