Penn State Shenango Athletics is pleased to announce that the newly created cross country head coach position will now be known as the Dr. Morren J. Greenburg Head Cross Country Coach, in honor of the contributions made to the local running community by Dr. Greenburg and his wife, Sherry Greenburg.

Born on July 15, 1932, in Farrell, Dr. Greenburg, affectionally known by many as "Doc," went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-medical Science from Youngstown State University and his Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

Doc was an active part of the greater Mercer County community, serving as team physician for football, basketball, wrestling and track programs in the Farrell, Sharon, and Hermitage school districts. He also spent numerous hours volunteering his time as a track coach for varsity and junior high programs at Hickory. On top of his involvement in local athletics, Doc also spent 17 years on the Hermitage School Board, Hermitage Municipal Authority, Farrell Lions Club, as well as a board member of the Mercer County Hall of Fame.

As an athlete himself, Doc was a state qualifier in track and field at Farrell High School as a member of the 4x100 relay team. Later in life, he won multiple medals at the World Medical Games. Doc was inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame in 1995, the Youngstown Roadrunners Club Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Farrell Alumni Hall of Fame in 2006. 

As the former Director of the Sharon Regional School of Nursing, Sherry Greenburg is no stranger to the Penn State Shenango campus community.

"When I brought up the idea of adding cross-country as a sport at Penn State Shenango, one name kept coming up in conversations about who I should speak with. That was Sherry Greenburg," said Shenango Athletic Director Brandon Padgett.  "Sherry taught me all about the running community in the Valley, and about the impact her late husband had on the lives of many young runners."

"First of all, I was very surprised. Usually running and cross country aren't big as far as athletes, not like baseball or football," said Greenburg. "To have a campus in your community that supports running is amazing. It's like a dream come true."

"Sherry herself has been instrumental in launching the new cross country program here at Penn State Shenango," Padgett said. "It gives me great pleasure to recognize Sherry's commitment to the campus, as well as Doc's unwavering support to the running community, by formally naming our cross country coaching position in his honor."

Amy Javens, the first coach to serve as the Dr. Morren J. Greenburg Head Cross Country Coach, reflected on her interactions with the Greenburg's as a young runner from the area.

"My high school track and field memories consisted of me training on the Hickory High track at the same time Dr. Morren Greenburg and his wife Sherry trained for their athletic endeavors," Javens recalled. "He was a staple in our running community as a runner, coach, cheerleader, official, supporter and visionary."

"I know he [Doc] would be so honored," said Greenburg.  "He would be over the moon about this."

"He was a key figure in building the foundation of our local track and field, cross country, and distance running community, and a part of a tradition of excellence that I proudly came from," said Javens. "I am honored to accept this coaching role named after Doc!"

Penn State Shenango will launch their first competitive cross country season in the Fall of 2024.  Visit www.shenangoathletics.com for more information.