Roy Griak, whose name was synonymous with cross-country and track at the University of Minnesota, died Thursday night at the age of 91, the Gophers athletic department announced.

Griak coached the Gophers cross-country and track and field teams for 33 years (1963-96), then stayed associated with the programs as an administrative aide. He celebrated his 50th year of service to the U of M in 2013.

“I consider this home,” Griak said then. “I get in my car, and I don’t have to steer. It just comes to the university by itself. I consider it a special place.”