Chris Woods will be inducted into the Massachuetts State Track Coaches Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon, and the longtime Fitchburg High cross-country and track coach said it’s an opportunity to acknowledge all the mentors, coaching assistants and student-athletes who helped shape his illustrious career. “It’s an awesome honor, obviously,” said Woods, who was a former Red Raiders track standout. “I’m a little humbled by it. I had the opportunity to work with great coaches over the years and working with the kids. It’s greatly appreciated by me. I’m being honored by my efforts over the years.” The MSTCA Awards Banquet is at The Lantana in Randolph at 2 p.m. Woods gushed about former Fitchburg High cross-country and track coach Erkki Koutonen — a 1977 MSTCA Hall of Fame inductee — and Edward Gastonguay, who was inducted in 1996. The Finnish-born Koutonen competed in the triple jump at the 1948 London Olympic Games, three years after the end of World War II. Koutonen coached the Red Raiders for 30 years. “He was a tremendous individual and had a big impact on me as an athlete,” Woods said. Gastonguay was a former cross-country coach and assistant track coach and was also Woods’ guidance counselor, a position Woods retired from last June. Woods coached Fitchburg’s cross-country team from 1994 to 2016 and indoor and outdoor track teams from 1983 to 2016, amassing a combined 353 wins in all three sports. “I think it’s important to me to recognize the kids and the people I’ve coached with,” said Woods, who disclosed he wrote his speech a couple of weeks ago. “I feel obligated to mention all of the current and former legends from the Central Mass. area. There are a lot of quality people I’ve become friends with.” Woods cited Nick DiPilato, Brian Wallace, Gerry Frew, Charlie Butterfield, and Fred Warren as some of the current or former greats he considers mentors and friends or has had the privilege of working with. Most importantly to Woods, though, is having a big impact on his former athletes, many of whom went into education and/or coaching. “That makes me feel good,” he said. “I miss the kids. The time we put into these things are incredible.” Woods will still maintain his longtime roles as secretary of the District E Cross-Country and Track and Field Committee and as President of the Central Mass. Track and Field Officials Association. He also runs the MSTCA website and annually serves as PA announcer for the Central Mass. Class and Central/Western Mass. championships and for the state meet when Fitchburg State is the host site. “I find my ways to stay involved with the sport,” Woods said. “I wouldn’t have this opportunity if I didn’t take on these types of roles.”
Inducted: 2017