St. John's University Athletics
John McCree Inducted into Newark Athletic Hall of Fame
11/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
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QUEENS, N.Y. - Thanks to a decorated high school and collegiate athletic career, St. John's Assistant Coach (Throws) John McCree was elected into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame 28th Anniversary Class last week.
The Newark Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates the past accomplishments of Newark athletes in order to project these individuals as positive role models for Newark youth. The Hall of Fame maintains its intention is, "to inspire hope for the future of Newark youth by creating a positive situation where friendships, camaraderie and memories of past Newark glorious days can be renewed."
McCree, a 1971 graduate of Essex Catholic High School in Newark, became one of the school's most decorated track & field throwers under the guidance of his head coach, Tony Naclerio, who went on to coach the 1996 Team USA Olympic throwers.
As a competitor in high school track & field McCree broke the New Jersey state record in the hammer throw, won the parochial state championship in the discus and was a member of the four-man shot put relay that set and still holds the United States national record of 231'8".
"This is a great honor for me to be recognized by the city of Newark for my achievements both as a competitor and a coach. First of all, I must thank my family for their patience and support, allowing me to spend so much time the last 42 years coaching. As a young athlete growing up in Newark in the 1960's, we were faced with many challenges. Racial unrest, the riots of 1967, inner city poverty, high unemployment, few opportunities and lack of facilities were major obstacles to overcome in order to be successful," said McCree. "I was fortunate to have youth coaches, mentors, role models that motivated and influenced me to succeed. Success in high school led me to St John's University where I was provided the tools necessary to attain my goals. After my competitive career ended I knew I wanted to be like those mentors that helped me. I felt I had things to share. I just never realized I'd be at it so long."
Following his graduation from Essex Catholic, McCree went on to join the men's track & field team at St. John's, where he set school records in the hammer throw and weight throw, becoming the first in program history to break the 200' and 60' barriers, respectively.
McCree was nationally-ranked and qualified for the Division I NCAA National Championships in each of his four years with the Johnnies, and won a pair of Metropolitan Inter-Collegiate Championships and Kansas Relays titles while also medaling at the Florida Relays, Penn Relays, US Olympic Invitational and the prestigious Millrose Games, along the way.
Upon graduation he was the recipient of three major St John's Athletics honors; including the Ernest Haberle Award for the top track & field performer, the Dr. Peter Vitulli Award for the student-athlete that overcame the most hardships, and the Lt. Frank Haggerty Award for the most outstanding student-athlete at St. John's University.
Immediately following his graduation from St. John's in 1975, McCree began his storied 42-year coaching career at both the collegiate and high school levels. The Newark, N.J., native has coached at Manhattan College, Queens College, the New York Institute of Technology, St. Francis Prep and St. Anthony's High School, and holds the rare coaching distinction of having worked with athletes that achieved All-American status in NCAA Division I, II and III as well as in high school, all in the hammer throw.
"We are so excited and proud to see John McCree go into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame. This is truly a tremendous accomplishment and one that is most deserving. John is one of those special people who you are fortunate to come across in a lifetime," said Head Coach Jim Hurt. "He was an outstanding athlete in high school and here at St. John's, where he was a national class athlete in the hammer throw. He was 1975 Haggerty award winner signifying the top athlete in the athletic department. Since leaving St. John's, John has continued in our sport coaching at every level and producing some of the best throwers at the World and National levels. We were fortunate to have him come home to St. John's three years ago to coach our throwers. As great as he was an athlete and is as a coach, his heart and care for others is all encompassing. He is just a great guy and we are so pleased and happy to see him go into the Newark Hall of Fame."
Stan Waldmere, former high school teammate and current Newark Athletic Hall of Fame member, nominated McCree for the honorable distinction. McCree was one of 13 new members elected this year, joining the likes of Leonard S. Coleman Jr., the last president of the MLB's National League, and Ibtihaj Muhammad, current member of Team USA Fencing, among others.
The Newark Athletic Hall of Fame continues to try and "improve the quality of life in the City of Newark by honoring some of our past sports heroes and providing a means of focusing attention on the City's rich history and serving to encourage Newark's young people to strive for their full potential as athletes and citizens."
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