University Southern California Trojans
Former USC Men's Track Coach Wolfe Dies
October 25, 2000 | Track & Field
Oct. 25, 2000
LOS ANGELES - Vern Wolfe, who led USC to 7 NCAA championships during his 22 years as the Trojan men's head track and field coach, died today (Wednesday, Oct. 25) in Fallbrook. He was 78.
Wolfe, who had Parkinson's Disease, died due to complications from a broken hip suffered in a recent fall.
Wolfe, USC's coach from 1963 to 1984, saw his Trojans win 5 outdoor NCAA titles (1963, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1976) and 2 indoor crowns (1967, 1972). In 13 of his 22 years, his Trojans placed among the top 4 teams at the NCAA meet. He had an impressive 105-17-1 record in dual meets (.858), won 8 conference crowns and posted 7 undefeated dual meet seasons (he never lost more than 2 duals in a season). He guided USC to 4 Track & Field News national dual meet championships (1971, 1976-78). He was the 1978 national Track and Field Coach of the Year. He retired as the third-winningest coach in collegiate track history.
He coached his USC athletes to 33 NCAA outdoor individual and relay titles, as well as 6 Olympic gold medals and 30 world records. His athletes broke or tied every USC individual record.
He was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1998 and into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
He began his coaching career at Torrance (Calif.) High for 3 years (1952-54), then spent the next 6 seasons (1955-60) at North Phoenix (Ariz.) High, where he produced national record holders in the pole vault, shot put and discus. He next coached undefeated seasons at San Jose State in 1961 and Foothill Junior College in Los Altos, Calif., in 1962.
Wolfe was a pole vaulter during his student days at USC (1942-46-47), which were interrupted because of World War II service. He remained an active pole vaulter throughout his life, even regularly competing in senior events (he won his age division at the 1979 Senior Olympics and was second at the 1981 Veterans Games).
He was an All-League performer in track and football at Gardena (Calif.) High.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, sons Corey and Dean, and granddaughter Amanda.
A memorial service for Wolfe, whose body will be cremated, will be planned at a future date. The men's lockerroom of USC's track and field stadium, currently under construction, will be named for Wolfe. Donations in Wolfe's name can be made by calling USC associate athletic director Don Winston at 213-740-4155.
