Leonard Suarez

Cross Country
Written By Brian Weir

Inducted: 2025

Sport: Football

Schools: Northwest Christian, Verrado, Estrella Foothills, Valley Vista, Trivium Prep

Leonard Suarez began his coaching career in 1972 as an Assistant Track & Field Coach at Bisbee High School, contributing to a program that earned multiple state championships throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. In 1974, he revived the school’s Cross Country program after a three-year hiatus, and in 1980, following Title IX, he launched the Girls Cross Country program. 

Over 20 years as Bisbee High School’s Cross Country Coach, Leonard’s teams achieved remarkable success: 

• Boys Cross Country: 1 State Championship, 4 State Runner-up finishes, 4 third-place finishes, and 17 of 20 Region titles.  He coached one boy to an individual State Cross Country Championship.  

• Girls Cross Country: 1 State Championship with a record-low score of 19 points, 1 third-place finish, and 5 Region titles. He coached two girls to individual State Cross Country Championships. 

In 1994, Leonard transitioned to Athletic Director at Bisbee High School, stepping away from coaching to focus on administrative responsibilities. His passion for the sport continued as he served as State Cross Country and Track & Field Meet Director for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) from 1990 to 2010. Leonard played a key role in consolidating state championships into a single venue and worked alongside respected colleagues such as Roy Fenton and Gary Chaney. 

Leonard’s contributions earned him induction into the Arizona Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame, and recognition as the Arizona Coaches Association All-Star Cross Country Meet Dedicatee. 

From 2002 to 2013, Leonard held leadership roles as Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Facility Director at schools including Tucson Sunnyside, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, Tucson Ironwood Ridge, and Tucson High. Between 2012 and 2017, he assisted Cross Country and Track programs at Tucson Salpointe and Catalina Foothills, coaching two boys to individual State Cross Country titles. 

Although retired from coaching, Leonard remains active as a certified Track & Field/Cross Country official with AIA, USATF, NCAA, and World Athletics. His dedication to the sport extended globally when he served as a logistics volunteer for the 2012 London Summer Olympics and the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.  

Key Achievements  

  • 20 years as Bisbee High School’s Cross Country Coach 

  • Boys Cross Country: 1 State Championship, 4 State Runner-up finishes, 4 third-place finishes, and 17 of 20 Region titles 

  • Girls Cross Country: 1 State Championship with a record-low score of 19 points, 1 third-place finish, and 5 Region titles 

  • Coached one boy and two girls to individual State Cross Country Championships  

Career Highlights  

  • 1994: Transitioned to Athletic Director at Bisbee High School 

  • 1990–2010: Served as State Cross Country and Track & Field Meet Director for AIA Instrumental in consolidating state championships into a single venue 

  • Inducted into Arizona Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame 

  • Inducted into Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame Recognized as Arizona Coaches Association All-Star Cross Country Meet Dedicatee  

Later Roles  

  • 2002–2013: Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Facility Director at multiple schools 2012 

  • 2017: Assisted Cross Country and Track programs at Tucson Salpointe and Catalina Foothills, coaching two boys to individual State titles 

  • Certified Track & Field/Cross Country official with AIA, USATF, NCAA, and World Athletics 

  • Volunteer for 2012 London Summer Olympics and 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics

Brian Weir
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