DePaul University Athletics
Coach Pat Savage Earns Spot in NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame
11/12/2025 3:51:00 PM | CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK AND FIELD
DePaul Hall of Famer honored for more than four decades of coaching excellence
CHICAGO – Patrick "Pat" Savage, a DePaul Athletics Hall of Famer, former Blue Demon head cross country coach, and assistant track and field coach, has been selected for induction into the 2025 NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class. Savage joins four other honorees, David Barney, Faith Linga Chepengat, James Macnider, and AG Bradford, who will be recognized for their impact on cross country and track and field at the junior college level.
A 1966 DePaul graduate, Savage first made his mark as a Blue Demon student-athlete, earning team MVP and captain honors in both cross country and track before beginning a coaching career that would span more than four decades. His connection to the university culminated in his 1993 induction into the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his lifelong commitment to its running programs.
Before returning to his alma mater, Savage enjoyed an extraordinary 32-year run at Oakton College, guiding the men's and women's cross country, track and field, and half-marathon programs. His teams produced 39 NJCAA All-Americans, four individual national champions, and 19 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference MVP runners while capturing eight NJCAA Region IV Championships and the 2002 NJCAA Marathon Championship. He also played a central role in Oakton hosting the NJCAA Marathon Championship from 1988 to 1995.
In 2005, Savage was named an assistant coach for DePaul's men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. The following year, in 2006, he was promoted to head coach for the cross country programs while continuing to assist with track and field. Savage retired in 2011 after a distinguished six-year tenure at his alma mater. During that time, his 2008 squads recorded the highest team GPA in the nation, and his mentorship of future head coach Dave Dopek helped shape the foundation for DePaul's later success in the BIG EAST Conference.
Savage's storied career has earned him induction into six halls of fame, including the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame, NJCAA Region IV Hall of Fame, Skyway Conference Hall of Fame, Illinois High School Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Niles West Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award and served as President of the Chicago Area Runners Association from 1992 to 1994.
Savage's impact continues today through the Patrick Savage Endowed Scholarship, one of DePaul Athletics' largest endowments, established to support Blue Demon student-athletes. The fund, bolstered by donors including Jessica and Steve Sarowitz, reflects Savage's lifelong dedication to education, leadership, and the Vincentian values that define DePaul University.
A 1966 DePaul graduate, Savage first made his mark as a Blue Demon student-athlete, earning team MVP and captain honors in both cross country and track before beginning a coaching career that would span more than four decades. His connection to the university culminated in his 1993 induction into the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his lifelong commitment to its running programs.
Before returning to his alma mater, Savage enjoyed an extraordinary 32-year run at Oakton College, guiding the men's and women's cross country, track and field, and half-marathon programs. His teams produced 39 NJCAA All-Americans, four individual national champions, and 19 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference MVP runners while capturing eight NJCAA Region IV Championships and the 2002 NJCAA Marathon Championship. He also played a central role in Oakton hosting the NJCAA Marathon Championship from 1988 to 1995.
In 2005, Savage was named an assistant coach for DePaul's men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. The following year, in 2006, he was promoted to head coach for the cross country programs while continuing to assist with track and field. Savage retired in 2011 after a distinguished six-year tenure at his alma mater. During that time, his 2008 squads recorded the highest team GPA in the nation, and his mentorship of future head coach Dave Dopek helped shape the foundation for DePaul's later success in the BIG EAST Conference.
Savage's storied career has earned him induction into six halls of fame, including the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame, NJCAA Region IV Hall of Fame, Skyway Conference Hall of Fame, Illinois High School Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Niles West Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award and served as President of the Chicago Area Runners Association from 1992 to 1994.
Savage's impact continues today through the Patrick Savage Endowed Scholarship, one of DePaul Athletics' largest endowments, established to support Blue Demon student-athletes. The fund, bolstered by donors including Jessica and Steve Sarowitz, reflects Savage's lifelong dedication to education, leadership, and the Vincentian values that define DePaul University.
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