PHIL MAIA
Class of 1978
Inducted in 2018
Phil Maia’s introduction to the sport of cross country came at an early age as he became the first Junior High School Cross Country lndividual Champion in 1974. Phil would go on to enjoy a successful career as a runner at both Lowell High School and the University of Lowell before embarking on an extraordinary coaching career that would ultimately elevate him to legendary status at Lowell High School.
Phil ran 12 consecutive seasons of cross country and track at LHS. He was XC Captain as a senior (1977) and earned Lowell Sun All-Star honors. Phil was also a mainstay as member of the University of Lowell Track and Cross Country program for 4 years (1978-1982).
Phil’s 34-year coaching career encompassed 102 consecutive seasons in the capacity of either head or assistant coach. As a head coach, his LHS teams compiled a remarkable overall record of 402-104-2, a winning percentage of 80%.
ln his 31 years as Cross Country Head Coach (1986-2016), Phil led his teams to a dual meet record of 258-39-2, a winning percentage of almost 90%. This included a run of 70 consecutive victories from 2010-2016. Raider XC squads dominated the highly competitive Merrimack Valley Conference throughout Phil’s career, winning 15 MVC Championships over that period, including 7 consecutive titles during his final 7 years of coaching. Over the course of Phil’s career, the Red and Gray also won numerous titles at invitational meets throughout Massachusetts and beyond, including 4 victories at the prestigious Manhattan lnvitational in New York City. During the post-season, Lowell rose to the occasion under Coach Maia’s direction. Between 2009-2016, the Raiders won 7 0f 8 Eastern Mass Division I State Championships, including a run of 5 consecutive titles (2012-2016) to close out Phil’s coaching career. Over that same period, Phil’s squads won 3 Massachusetts All-State Championships and placed 2nd four times. Due in no small part to Coach, Maia’s meticulous preparation and dynamic leadership, LHS Cross Country has become a beacon of excellence throughout Massachusetts.
During Phil’s 20-year tenure as Head lndoor Track Coach (1997-2017), his Red and Gray squads recorded an overall record of 101-22-6. Lowell won 11 MVC Championships during that period. The Raiders won Massachusetts Division I and Massachusetts All-State Championships in the 2012-2013 season.
Phil’s Outdoor Track teams forged an overall record of 43-43 during his 14 years as Head Coach.
During the course of his career, Phil won numerous honors. He was named Boston Globe Coach of the Year 4 times, Lowell Sun Coach of the Year 12 times, and MVC Coach of the Year no fewer than 27 times. He won several Coach of the Year Awards from the Massachusetts State Coaches, Track Coaches Association, and the MIAA as well. Phil received national recognition for his coaching excellence, being named the National Federation of High Schools Northeast US Sectional Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2012 and US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Massachusetts Coach of the Year in 2014.
Phil joins several of his former runners in the Hall of Fame: Ethan Brown, Dave Cremin, Brian Gagnon, Dave McNeil, and Pat Morasse.