Anyone who has been around North Central College for the past half-century knows the name Al Carius.
Carius’ success as a coach in cross country and track speaks for itself. For those who knew him best, however, that was only one part of his impact.
“As a graduate of North Central College, if there’s going to be a person who is synonymous with the college, we’re very fortunate to have that be Al Carius,” said NCC baseball coach Ed Mathey, a 1986 graduate. “It was all positive. It was all good. Al made you proud to be from North Central College.”
Carius, a Morton native who died of cancer on Tuesday at age 83, arrived at NCC in 1966 after graduating from Illinois. It was the only full-time work he ever had.
Regardless of division or sport, Carius is one of the most successful NCAA coaches of all time. Before he retired from coaching in 2000, his cross country teams finished fourth or better in the Division III in 42 of 47 seasons, winning 19 national titles, and his track teams won 12 national titles. He was inducted into multiple halls of fame.
Such success was the last thing Carius wanted to discuss, however.
“He never talked about winning,” said Bartlett athletic director Jeff Bral, a 1998 NCC graduate. “He talked about winning in life. It became an expectation for us. We didn’t want to let him down.”
Teaching and connecting meant more to Carius. That’s one reason nearly 400 of his former athletes went into coaching.
“You’re just going to improve yourself as an athlete and a person being around Al,” said former NCC sports information director Mike Koon, a 1993 graduate. “He was a sponge himself. He always wanted to learn how to make people better, which is what any good leader does.
“Being around Al, there are certain things you pick up that you’ll take with you forever — life lessons.”
Jim Miller, NCC’s senior director of athletics, was around Carius for 43 years. No matter the situation, Miller always looked to Carius for guidance. Carius’ mantra, “Run for fun and personal bests,” became the title of his book.
“It didn’t matter to him if you were first on the team or 41st,” Miller said. “I know that sounds cliché. He was always positive.
“I know it helped shape our decision-making on a daily basis. You’d ask yourself, ‘What influence would Al have over it?’”
Miller said Carius’ positive outlook didn’t change while he was treated for cancer.
“What a remarkable man,” Miller said. “Even at the end, through all of his illnesses, he lived out his words. He actually was more impressive to me through this time than he was as a coach. That’s a pretty bold statement. What a strong, powerful, influential person.”
In addition to being a coach, Carius was NCC’s athletic director from 1971 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1993, and he was a longtime teacher at the college. He was there during some lean years in the 1970s and was there as the college soared to new heights more recently. In short, Carius saw it all.
“There won’t be another Al Carius,” Koon said. “There just can’t be. The face of North Central College for 50 years was Al Carius. You’re never going to see anyone like him ever again.”
Carius’ influence will be felt for years to come.
“He’s still here in so many ways to so many people,” Mathey said. “You try to emulate him. He’s one of one. He’s authentic. He lived his life the way he coached.”
There will be a public celebration of Carius’ life at NCC’s Merner Field House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter.
