WASHINGTON – In recognition of an unforgettable legacy that reshaped collegiate and national track & field, the Men's 800-meter race at the Toyota USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be named in tribute to former Georgetown Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Frank Gagliano on Sunday, July 26 at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island in New York City.
 
Widely known throughout the running community simply as "Coach Gags," Gagliano served 18 years on the Hilltop, 16 as head coach, marking the longest tenure of any track coach in Georgetown's storied athletic history. The tribute serves as a testament to a career defined by championship dominance, legendary motivation, and an unwavering commitment to his student-athletes.
 
Under Gagliano's leadership, Georgetown became a dominant force both regionally and nationally. Coach Gags recruited top talent nationwide to the Hilltop, developing elite performers through his fiery mentorship and guidance. His athletes reached the highest levels of the sport, including Olympians John Trautmann '91, Steve Holman '92, Kevin McMahon '94, Rich Kenah '92 and Bryan Woodward '97, as well as NCAA champions Michael Stahr '88, Ethan Frey '91 and Michael Jasper '91.
 
In total, Gagliano coached 58 individual IC4A champions and 140 All-America performers, while his student-athletes set 46 school records. Collectively, his squads captured 23 BIG EAST team championships, 10 IC4A team titles and eight Penn Relays Championship of America wheels, highlighted by a world-record-breaking distance medley relay team.
 
"The impact Coach Gags has had on the sport of track and field goes way beyond the Hilltop. I couldn't think of a more fitting venue for him to be recognized as the proud New Yorker that he is. I am very fortunate to be leading Georgetown's Track & Field and Cross Country Program, and that wouldn't have been possible if he didn't give a little kid from Brooklyn (via Jamaica) an opportunity to compete and earn a degree from Georgetown University," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Alton McKenzie. "He has touched the lives of so many men & women and has given us the opportunity to pursue so many career paths successfully, and being able to pass that along generationally is beyond measure. We are all looking forward to celebrating this legend of our sport and gathering as Hoya Family as he is recognized and acknowledged for all that he has achieved in track and field. Go Hoyas!"
 
Five athletes with Georgetown ties will compete on the national stage in New York, featuring current Hoya Tinoda Matsatsa in the men's 800m, alumnus Abel Teffra ('25) in the men's 1,500m, Chloe Scrimgeour (25') in the women's 10,000m, Parker Stokes ('24) in the men's 3,000m steeplechase, and Charlotte Tomkinson ('25) in the women's 1,500m.
 
Championship Event Details
The Toyota USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships take place July 23–26 at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island, New York. The Frank Gagliano Men's 800m Tribute will take place during the final day of competition on Sunday, July 26.