El Paso High School, steeped in its history, recently added a new chapter by dedicating its track to Coach Danny McKillip, an icon who left an indelible mark on the school’s athletic program and the community. The touching ceremony took place this Wednesday, where a mix of family members, alumni, and city officials gathered with the school’s current staff and students to unveil the ‘Coach Danny McKillip Track’. McKillip, whose death in 2024 was a blow to the community, devoted over 40 years to mentoring student-athletes and led the El Paso High Tigers to numerous accolades, including five state championships.
Danny McKillip’s own athletic prowess as a long-distance runner at UTEP is well-documented. Still, it was his coaching style that garnered him widespread respect and, eventually, a place in the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame. Patricia Brunson, an alumna of El Paso High, recounted McKillip’s influence, telling El Paso ISD News, “When you look at the accomplishments of an athlete, the coach plays a vital role in that success.” She added, “All those championships won under Coach McKillip weren’t by accident, they were the result of hard work and dedication, and those victories are a testament to, his commitment to his students.”…