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

Kermit coached for 25 years at Birmingham Seaholm High School Video

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

You've never heard much about his track record in the track world. And you've 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 heartbeat of the sport.

Kermit was born the farm town of Hoskins in Nebraska

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's happened in all those years since Kermit was born in a small Nebraska farm town called Hoskins.

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

A spur of the moment decision to try his hand at college really started it 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.

When Kermit began his teaching career during the Depression, he made $2 a day.

"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 where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

In the 25-year span from 1952 to 1977, Kermit carved his legend at Birmingham Seaholm High School. His 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.

Kermit's coaching accomplishments include 76 straight league wins

"Most of the things that I know I have learned from other people. I'm the best thief in the world. If you have a good idea, I'll steal it. Absolutely."

Since his 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 those events, but, well, he's always there wherever runners meet.

At the age of 90, Kermit is still a part of Oakland County track

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? And I said, why do I want to go down to Florida and live with a bunch of old people? Next January I'll be 90," Kermit says.

"Where are you going after that?" asks Erik Smith.

"Well, I'll be going to track meets."

[More From the Heart stories]