25-Year Anniversary Video
The milestones keep piling up for Arthur McKinnon.
Colgate’s Director of Cross Country/Track and Field oversees the combined Raider efforts on both the men’s and women’s side. He also recently completed his 28th coaching season overall at Colgate and is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable track and field mentors in the Patriot League and the Northeast.
McKinnon has guided 38 student-athletes to individual Patriot League crowns – 21 during the indoor championships and 17 outdoor. During his 25 years, Colgate individuals have broken six program outdoor records and 14 of 21 indoor records.
In 2001, McKinnon guided the cross country team to victory at the IC4A Championship, and the Raiders finished second in 2002. He was honored as the Patriot League Coach of the Year in 1991 after guiding the Raiders to a third-place finish at the indoor meet. In 1990, his cross country squad finished second at the conference meet, and was the runner-up at the IC4A University Division Championship – Colgate's best finish since 1962.
Before coming to Colgate, McKinnon coached at Dartmouth College and The Huntington School. It was at Huntington that his 1971 cross country team won the New England Prep School championship. He earlier coached at Marta Malden Catholic High School, his Boston-area alma mater, where his team won the Massachusetts State Indoor Championship.
McKinnon spent 20 years in private and public education as a teacher, guidance counselor and as the Director of the Hartford Area Vocational center in Hartford, Vermont.
He graduated from Northeastern University in 1968 and received his master’s degree in education from Boston State College in 1972. McKinnon is Level I & Level II certified by the U.S. Track & Field Coaches Association.
McKinnon resides nearby Bouckville with his wife, Maureen.
Get to know Arthur McKinnon
“Coach McKinnon exudes passion for Colgate University and for Colgate Athletics. His commitment to the student-athletes as they pursue excellence both in the classroom and on the track are second to none.” -- Victoria M. Chun, Director of Athletics.
- An Influential Person in My Career: The following three coaches I worked with at Dartmouth College during the 1980s were all influential to me:
- Carl Wallen, former Dartmouth head coach of track and field, college teammate of mine, retired.
- Vin Lananna, former Dartmouth head coach of track and field, current Oregon associate athletics director.
- Peter Fox Smith, former Dartmouth head women’s coach, Harvard Ph.D., retired.
- An Idea or Invention I Wish I Had Thought of: Automatic timing for track and swimming meets.
- What I Like About My Job: The people I am involved with.
- What I Like About Competing: Gives me motivation to see every day as important.
- What I Would Like to Change: Carve out more time to attend to my "bucket list."
- What I Like That Would Surprise Those Who Know Me: Ice cream.
- What I Like About Myself: Do my best to help others.
Miscellaneous Favorites
- Heroes: President John Kennedy.
- Possession: Motorcycle.
- Memento: New England Prep School Team Trophy for 1972 Cross Country Championships at Huntington Prep. My first coaching award.
- Magazines, Hardcopy or Online: Golf Magazine.
- Gadget: Chainsaw.
- App: Ubersense.
- Music Type, Singer or Group: Classical.
- Books: About overcoming personal challenges and survival.
- Food: Irish Stew.
- Movies: War Horse.
- Quote: “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.”
