Medina Schools mourns loss of beloved cross county coach Milt Place

MEDINA — Medina girls cross country coach Scott VanFleet was in Columbus on Saturday coaching alongside his friend and boys team coach Milt Place at Fortress Obetz for the OHSAA Early Season Cross County Invitational. One day later, Place died suddenly after having an abdominal aortic aneurysm — the rupturing of the largest blood vessel that runs from the heart through center of the chest and abdomen. He was 69. "There was nothing they could do," VanFleet said. VanFleet and the Medina School District are mourning the sudden loss of the beloved and legendary coach. Place led the Bees to the 2007 Division I state cross country title and runner-up finish in 2010. In all, Medina qualified for the state meet 15 times since Place took over in the mid-1990s for Jim Demo, including the last six years in a row, with three regional and six district titles. Before he arrived at Medina in 1992, the Bees had qualified for the state meet only five times. "Someone said, 'He's a Hall of Fame coach with Hall of Fame character,' " Medina Athletic Director Todd Hodkey said. "His passion was running. He had taken the cross country program to new heights." Hodkey said Place had so much pride for the boys cross country team, known as one of the top programs in the state. "He lived it and breathed it every minute (of the day)," he said. Place graduated from Tiffin Columbian High School in 1970 and then returned after college to start the girls cross country program in 1980. He founded the Tiffin Cross Country Carnival, which evolved into one of the largest high school events in the nation. After coming to Medina, he started the Medina Cross Country Festival in 1992 and had been the director of the event every year since its inception. "He took that model (at Tiffin) and brought it here," Hodkey said. Place was also an accomplished runner himself, having ran under renowned coach and mentor Joe Vigil at Adams State University in Colorado, and was part of its 1971 national championship men's cross country team. "Coach Place had a unique love and passion for running," Hodkey said. "Very few people had the knowledge of training and running that Coach Place possessed. His work ethic was second to none. He will be greatly missed by this staff, the city of Medina, the larger community of running and the multitude of people that he impacted throughout his life." A retired teacher, Place taught science, math and language arts during his career at Medina Schools. Place was a 10-time Gazette coach of the year and member of four halls of fame, including the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Ohio Association of Track & Cross Country Coaches, Adams State University and Medina City Schools Hall of Fame. He received the special "Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award" from the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Place also coached the distance runners as an assistant coach on the boys track team under head coach VanFleet. "He was such a fixture," VanFleet said. "You take it for granted that he'd always be around. I'll miss hearing his dumb jokes and hearing him talk about track and cross country most." He said he's still in shock after Place's death. "He has to be one of the most unique, passionate, genuine people I know," VanFleet said. "He was as enthusiastic today as he was 45 years ago." VanFleet said if you brought up a runner's name from 20 years ago, Place could tell you his best time. "I've been at Medina for 40 years and every place I'd go, if they'd find out you're from Medina, they'd ask, 'Do you know Milt Place?'" VanFleet said. "He made you feel like you're a close friend. "He's given so much back to the sport and has impacted so many people throughout his life." Assistant coach Brian Dudek will become interim coach of the Bees, Hodkey said. Medina runs at Seneca East on Saturday. Place is survived by his wife, Lena, children, Anthony and Annaliesa, and two grandchildren. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.