by Jeff Benjamin
Coogans, photo by Jeff Benjamin
After becoming the 6th High Schooler to break the 4-minute Mile, Drew Hunter (center) is joined by Irish Mile Legends Eamonn Coghlan and Marcus O’Sullivan after the 2016 Armory Invitational, photo by Jeff Benjamin
The walls are full of amazing athletic moments, photo by Jeff Benjamin
Only at Coogan’s can Jeff Benjamin (Left) get together with former 100 meters World Record Holder Steve Williams (Center) and 2012 Olympic 1500 Silver Medalist Leo Manzano! photo by Jeff Benjamin
Farewell To Coogan’s – The Sport’s Shangri-La
By Jeff Benjamin
Shangri-La – a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. Hilton describes Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a lamasery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains.”
In 2018 after a press conference naming Matt Centrowitz Sr. (Center,Hat) Director of XC/Track & Field at Manhattan College, Jeff & Jack Benjamin, along With Gene McCarthy (Right) all joined the party held at – where else? – Coogan’s!, photo by Jeff Benjamin.
At the conclusion of events like the 5th Avenue Mile and the Millrose Games (which is located right around the corner at the New Balance Armory Indoor Track & Field Center) an “order of disorder” with claustrophobia on steroids, added in would reign supreme at 4015 Broadway in Washington Heights, NYC.
It was there that the stereotype of the lonely, introverted runner/track & field athlete was thrown figuratively (although It could have been literal) out the window as Coogan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant served as a magnet to both the Sports’ as well as many other local, national and international luminaries of all backgrounds, creating what one called not just a Pub, but ” A real state of mind.”
In a twist of brutal irony, the magnetism needed to keep such a venue going with throngs of people has officially fallen victim to the terrible “Social Distancing” world of Covid-19.
In a statement that can only be described as shattering, Owners Dave Hunt, Peter Walsh and Tess McDade, who have fought, struggled and persevered through the years of various challenges, announced that Coogan’s would be closing it’s doors.
Link: http://www.coogans.com/
While the mainstream media can write stirring accounts for all to see about both the history and legacy of Coogan’s, those who have been there – whether as a worker, owner, manager, customer, honoree or friend have lost something in the soul which will no doubt be difficult to replace.
With some rumors and little hopes being whispered through the Running/Track & Field world of potentially reopening Coogan’s somehow/someway, right now, like pretty much everyone else, one can hope it can happen eventually and still look back and remember all the great times, great food, great history, and great friends all clustered together in perfect, joyous chaos, something which, sadly, Our Sport might not see again.
The Last Supper?
Paul Fetscher (Right) hosts luminaries and pals at Coogan’s after this year’s 2020 Millrose Games, photo by Jeff Benjamin.
