Acton Boxborough Colonial Club
Richard Dow
Dick Dow made athletics fun. Burger rides and Buddha bellies belied the intense brand of competition that earmarked every one of Dick Dow's Track Teams. He rebuilt sagging programs in both indoor and outdoor track, and started from scratch, the cross country program Note his teams achievements: As coach from Acton-Boxboro Regional High School from 1970 to 1977, his teams won 15 Dual County League Championships, 3 Eastern Massachusetts Relay Championships and accounted for 12 undefeated seasons. His won/loss record in dual meets was a staggering 281-30-1. From fearful to feared, Dick's track teams competed with a fever that was only stilled with victory. While still teaching at AB, his coaching career blossomed at the College of the Holy Cross and Northeastern University. It is here that he assisted innumerable NCAA Division I college athletes.
Among Dick's proudest accomplishments was his award for 25 years of service from the IC4A Track Coaches Association. Memories, he has a few. "Never settle for a tie or second best again..." He got Howie Scribner away from Coach Leary... The heart of Joe Wilson...Jimmy Megee's attitude... Brady Mayer never giving up, ever... Rene Beaudoins death run...Gary Webbs speed... 5:30 a.m. gym time... and all his boys. In Dick Dow's own words, "it was a good time... I was inspired by all of them to do as much as I could for each of them. It was a time of feeling good about what each of us were accomplishing, athletes, managers, parents, coaches, administrators and friends alike."