AUBURN, Ala. – For more than a century, only four head coaches have led Auburn's track and field program.
Auburn's track facility bears the names of the first two: Wilbur Hutsell and Mel Rosen, who shepherded the program for its first seven decades from 1921-91.
When Rosen's protégé and successor, Harvey Glance, stepped down after the 1997 season, then-athletic director David Housel hired a recently retired U.S. Army infantry officer and Airborne Ranger who had won the 1983 NCAA and SEC long jumps while at Ole Miss.
Coach Ralph Spry has been an Auburn man ever since.
"To this day I feel indebted to David for giving me that shot because these jobs don't come open all the time," said Spry, who had five seasons of assistant coaching experience at the time. "I've always appreciated that. If you're fortunate to get one, you've got to take advantage of it. That was something I was able to do.
"I feel like I was prepared for it. I've been part of a team my whole life. Everything I did prior to Auburn really set me up to be successful here, lead the right way and do it with integrity. Auburn allowed me to impact people, be a role model and be a competitor. It was a great fit."
A quarter century later, Spry is stepping down. This week's NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon, will be his final meet.
"It's hard to believe it's been 25 years," he said. "I try to tell my athletes the same thing: 'Don't focus so much on the destination. You've got to enjoy the journey because the journey is what makes the destination special.'
"I've been able to reminisce and enjoy the 25 years. It's gone by very fast but that's because I enjoyed what I was doing.
"I don't know if there's ever a perfect time. When you really love something like I love Auburn track and field, it's not a natural thing to let it go.
"You may never find the perfect time, but I really believe it's the right time. I'm on the back nine and I want to shoot my best round on the back nine. I definitely cherish the 25 years.
"I feel so blessed to have been able to have this time at Auburn, to impact the people I've impacted and have people impact me the way they have. It's been magical."Coach Spry with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey at 2022 SEC outdoors
Throughout his swan song season, Spry has been saluted for his contributions to SEC track and field, from his final home meet to the SEC outdoor championships at his alma mater. Spry appreciates the recognition, even though he's not wired to seek the spotlight.
"My whole life, I've been a giver," he said. "I have a hard time accepting things. I love to give."
At NCAAs, Spry's pre-meet message to his team focused on their opportunities, not his curtain call.
"This meet is not about Coach Spry," he said. "It's about you, the work you put in. Don't make this about me. I want you to get your accolades."
Sixteen years ago at NCAA outdoors, Spry led Auburn's women to the 2006 national championship, joining Shug Jordan in football and David Marsh in swimming and diving as only the third coach in school history to win a national title.
"As a coach you want to win championships," he said. "That was probably the highlight of my career. I've had many but that's the one I will cherish the most because that's the one that's the hardest to achieve."'The journey is what makes the destination special'
Through great seasons and amid challenges, Spry has persevered, always exemplifying a positive mental attitude, even during a pancreatic cancer diagnosis and surgery in 2018.
"When your mortality is on the horizon, you see things through a different lens," he said. "You appreciate things more. I'm in the best shape of my life. I've certainly matured and grown from that.
"Your health is your most valuable asset. Stay on top of your health. It's in my rearview mirror. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life."
As he begins that next chapter and writes the final pages on an illustrious coaching career, Ralph Spry will be doing what he loves, investing in Auburn student-athletes to help them achieve their goals.
"I've been blessed," he said. "Auburn has certainly made me a better person. The relationships are what I'm going to miss the most. That's always been my goal, to be in a situation to impact people the right way.
"It's about the people. I tell the kids, 'You're going to meet people in a four-year period who are going to impact you and be around you the rest of your life.' That's what's important, and that's what I've learned here as well. The people make it special.
"That's what I'm going to cherish the most, the relationships I have at Auburn, and I look forward to keeping those going.
"My plan is to stay here in Auburn, be Auburn's biggest supporter, and be chanting 'War Eagle' until my dying days."'Auburn's biggest supporter': Coach Ralph Spry
"I'm going to really cherish this last one & keep it close to my heart."
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) June 7, 2022
🗣@CoachRalphSpry previews @NCAATrackField Championships, his final meet after 25 seasons as @AuburnTFXC head coach.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/t3LPPhvtez
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer