Oct. 2, 2000

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Joe Piane was honored at halftime of the Notre Dame-Purdue football game Sept. 16 for his quarter-century of excellence as the University of Notre Dame's track and field and cross country coach.

Here are some of the accomplishments of Piane's teams and athletes during his 25-year tenure:

• Notre Dame cross country runners have received 13 different All-America recognitions.

• Notre Dame track and field athletes have earned All-America status 40 times.

• His cross country squads have finished in the top 10 at the NCAA championships eight times in the last 13 years.

• His cross country team won the 1996 NCAA District IV championship.

• His teams were 1997 and 1999 men's cross country BIG EAST Conference champions.

• He was named 1996 District IV coach of the year (fourth time in 11 years).
• He was Midwestern Collegiate Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year six of the eight years Notre Dame competed in the conference.
• He was 1987 NCAA national cross country coach of the year and 1986 District IV track coach of the year.
• He received MCC track coach of the year honors the first six years it was awarded.
• His teams have never finished lower than third in a BIG EAST cross country/indoor/outdoor track conference championship.
• His staff earned BIG EAST track staff-of the year honors in 1999 and 2000.
• His Notre Dame team captured the 2000 men's outdoor BIG EAST championship.
• He has coached 38 men's or women's BIG EAST individual champions in the five years Notre Dame has competed in BIG EAST track.
• Finally, Piane has been a member of the U.S. National Track staff, head coach of the U.S. Pan American Junior team, and the head coach of the North Squad at the National Sports Festival.

Piane was presented with a plaque by Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White in honor of his accomplishments.