Coach Kermit Ambrose
Reported by Erik Smith
Web produced by Kelly Reynolds

Christopher Curtis writes down ideas. Video

Unless you happen to be a member of his fraternity, chances are you have never heard much about this man. You have never heard much about the almost 90 years of life.

Never heard much about his track record in the track world. Never heard about the hundreds of kids he's helped across the finish line, in athletic competition and in life.

His name is Kermit Ambrose and he happens to be a legend among those who know the history of track and cross country in Oakland county, because for half a century, he has been the very heart beat of the sport.

Kermit was born before the Titanic set sail, before New Mexico and Arizona achieved statehood, when a half gallon of milk cost 17 cents. But that's not the point here. The point is what happened in all those years since Kermit was born in a small Nebraska farm town called Hoskins.

"I was sort of like a coach in a country school. When I was going and we'd have ballgames on Sundays when we were kids," Kermit recalls.

A spur of the moment decision to try his hand at college re all. The farm boy from Hoskins became a school teacher in four years making $2 a day in the middle of the Depression, but more importantly Kermit started coaching.

"What makes a great runner, Kermit?" asked Channel 7's Erik Smith.

"Well, he's got to have and to believe that he can do it and he's got to have some desire and determination. And he's, you know, willing to work. I keep saying the only place for success comes before work is in the dictionary."

In the 25-year span from 1952 to 1997, Kermit carved his legend at Birmingham Seaholm High School. The coaching record? 55 combined championships in track and cross country including 76 straight league wins.

And of course, countless young lives touched by a man who taught them the fundamentals of success.

"Most of the things that I know I have learned from other people. I'm not, I don't, I'm the best thief in the world. If you have a good idea, I'll steal it. Absolutely. When you get almost 90, what the heck do you expect, guys? For crying out loud. I will come around and see what you guys are look when you are 90," says Kermit.

Since the official retirement 30 years ago well, he hasn't because he's kept involved with anything involving track and field. He says he's slowing down a little and not shouldering quite so much responsibility for coordinating all the event, but, well, he's always there wherever runners meet.

And now, well, you can call yourself a member of his special fraternity because now you know Kermit Ambrose.

"I used to kid about where you going to go when you retire? Going down to Florida or Arizona to live? Awe said, why do I want to go down to Florida and live with a bunch of old people? Next January I'll be 90."

"Where are you going after that?"

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