John Skmp

WINONA, Minn. — After 14 years — and 36 seasons — John Skemp has decided enough is enough.

"This was by far one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make," said Skemp, who stepped down as the Saint Mary's University cross country coach Sunday. "It's been a great 14 years, but it's time for me to move on. I've worked with some great people and made a ton a great friends here at Saint Mary's, and I'm going to miss them all.

"I just felt like I was starting to get burned out a bit," continued Skemp, who, along with being the head cross country coach, also spent 10 seasons as the school's nordic ski coach, and 12 years — two as head coach and 10 as an assistant — with the SMU track and field program. "It was a tough decision, but to me, this is what's not only best for me, but I think it's also best for the program."

"John has been an inspiration to so many people, myself included," said SMU athletic director Chris Kendall, who noted that assisted coach Ward Berndt has been named as Skemp's cross country successor. "He has given so much to Saint Mary's, and we are going to miss him greatly."