The Ashland community has been hit hard by the recent passing of Track and Field head coach, Jud Logan.
Logan, who led the men’s program to three consecutive Division II national championships, passed away from complications of COVID-19 on Jan. 3, at the age of 62.
For the community however, Logan was more than a head coach. He was a symbol of positivity and compassion.
“Jud Logan had the ability to walk into a room and light it up to where it was so bright and he made people feel better,” Ashland University Athletic Director Al King said. “He made whatever environment he walked into better.”
Logan was an Ohio native, growing up in Canton and graduating from Kent State University in 1982. Originally, Logan played tight end for the Kent State football team, but ended up finding true athletic success after walking on to the track and field team as a thrower.
Following his collegiate career, Logan continued to train as a thrower and qualified for the Olympics four times. His final Olympic qualification in 2000 was perhaps his most impressive, as the thrower was still able to prove himself at the highest level at the age of 41.
Logan came to Ashland as the throwers coach in 1994 and was eventually elevated to head coach of the program in 2004. During his tenure with the Eagles, he led the team to unprecedented heights. Under Logan, Ashland track and field athletes captured 59 individual national championship wins. He was celebrated frequently for his successes, winning numerous Coach of the Year awards throughout his career.
“With what he knew, it just put you at an incredible advantage,” King said. “As a Division II school, you were able to recruit throwers at any level, from any place in the country, and that’s so rare. But we could get in on anybody because of Jud Logan.”
Logan will be remembered as much more than a winner though. What Logan will primarily be remembered for will be how much he gave back to his athletes, his program, and all of Ashland athletics.
“What he did with talking to kids, counseling kids, everything like that, just dwarfs what he did as far as the three national championships,” King said. “One time he told me, ‘I haven’t gone to bed before midnight in years.’ His passion for life and his energy showed up every day.”
Outside of athletics, Logan’s contributions were felt all throughout the community. He was a part of the Logan Family Foundation, which raised and donated money for multiple different causes, such as renovating a playground for children with special needs. He would give financial assistance to those in need simply out of the kindness of his heart.
“He came here as a big name from North Canton, but he came here and assimilated into the community,” King said. “He was one of us in Ashland.”
In place of Logan, Jacob