Notre Dame track and field coach passes away

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame's track and field Assistant Coach of 15 years, Adam Beltran passed away on Wednesday after a battle with cancer at the age of 46.

“It was my pleasure to work with Adam over the last 8 years,” Matt Sparks, the Hatherly-Piane Director of Track and Field and Cross Country, said. “He was such a gentle giant that truly knew how to connect with Notre Dame student-athletes. His peaceful demeanor had a calming effect on his athletes that allowed them to compete well when it mattered most.”

Beltran joined the Notre Dames men's and women's track program before the 2007-2008 season as an assistant coach for throws.

While coaching, Beltran's coaching achievements were all over the Notre Dame record books, from coaching 11 NCAA Qualifiers to helping Rachel Tanczos become a three-time Indoor All-American in the weight throw.

But Beltran was more than those accolades, he had a personality and striking humor that was remembered most. Beltran was beloved by student athletes, coaches and anyone who spent time in the Irish program.

“I can’t count all the ways that Beltran impacted my life and my teammates’ as well,” former student-athlete Rachel Tanczos said. “He was always quick with a joke and was never afraid to tell us things as they were. There are so many memories from the 5 years he was my coach that I’ll cherish forever. In particular, the way he continued to show up for us despite actively battling cancer for the last year and a half meant the world to me and is something I’ll never forget.”

“Adam was always the friend you could count on and the teammate you wanted by your side,” Kyle Lynne Demeter, the Head Golf Professional at the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame, said. “Adam has been a pillar of my experience at Notre Dame and I will forever be grateful for his kind, caring friendship. Adam, throughout our rotation of lunch spots over the last 15 years, perfected the eye roll and always found humor in life and in others.”

Beltran is survived by his mother, his sister Brenda, and a large extended family.

The Beltran family along with staff, students, friends, and alumni attended mass in honor of Adam at the Basilica on Friday at 3:30 p.m.