The National Distance Running Hall of Fame presented the 2002 Bill Bowerman Coaching Award to Bill Squires, of Melrose, Massachusetts. Squires received the award during the 2002 National Distance Running Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, July 13. Nominated by a slew of comrades, fellow coaches and former athletes, Squires, the founding coach of the Greater Boston Track Club in 1973, a former coach at Boston State College, and a member of the Boston Athletic Association, was recognized for his dedication to his sport and to his athletes. Under Squire's guidance, many athletes have enjoyed successful careers and have gone on to become high school and college coaches. "In most of us, he instilled a passion for the sport, and for sharing this knowledge with others," former athlete and longtime friend Kirk Pfrangle said. Bill Rodgers, an athlete formerly coached by Squires and a past Boston and NYC Marathon champion, reflected on Squires ability to coach, guide and mentor New England athletes as the founding coach of the Greater Boston Track Club. "Bill Squires not only coached the Greater Boston Track Club (GBTC) to become one of the best--if not the best track club in the USA--but he also encouraged the athletes to be sure to do all they can to pursue their careers." According to nominations received by the Hall of Fame, one of Squire's coaching strengths was his ability to look at athletes individually and develop training programs to suit their development. In particular, Squires is well known for workouts he called "simulators." Simulators are a series of workouts designed to duplicate course conditions to build the runner's confidence and body awareness in various states of a race. Squires is especially well known for the "Heartbreak Hill" simulators he designed for Bill Rodgers and the GBTC Marathon Team. "I truly believe Bill Squires exemplifies the values of Bill Bowerman more than any other coach. Both men share a unique ability to get the best out of their athletes on and off the track or roads," former athlete and veteran Nike employee Mark Duggan said. "His blue-collar style of coaching was grounded in practical experience. He made running fun. But was quick to remind you there is an important part of life outside competitive running." Squires received a 46-pound bronze sculpture of Bill Bowerman during the induction ceremony. A duplicate award will remain in the Distance Running Hall of Fame, where the names of each year's recipients are added. Squires, himself a three-time All-American miler out of Notre Dame, 4:20’s high School
Class: 1952 Inducted: 2006