Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer Paul Koretzki has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the thousands of former student-athletes he impacted in his 60-plus years of coaching.

His coaching career started in 1960 at Oceanside Middle School soccer, and he spent 15 years in Brentwood as a basketball assistant, soccer coach, and spring track coach. However, at Shoreham-Wading River, he cemented his legacy as one of the all-time great coaches in track and field and cross-country since 1980.

He recorded a staggering 1,000-plus victories across all seasons and less than 200 losses! Koretzki has led his teams to 73 League Titles, 36 Conference/Division Titles, 33 County Titles, and 2 State Titles. 14 individuals and two relay teams were awarded All-American status. Coach Koretzki was voted League, Division, or County Coach of the Year in Suffolk County 144 times. He was also the New York State XC Coach of the Year in 1987 and 2017. In 2004, he was featured in “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated for his accomplishments.

He also ran six marathons, founded the Brentwood Soccer Club, organized Youth Summer Track Program runs and meets for 47 years, and was the Girl’s XC and Track Coaches Association President from 1989 to 2013.