January 10 Birthdays

1895

Percy Wells Cerutty, Australian, coach. Percy Cerutty was well-known for his role as coach to the great miler, Herb Elliot, but he was equally or perhaps even more notorious for outrageous comments and eccentric behaviour. To describe his training philosophy he coined the word "Stotan," derived from the words "stoic" and "Spartan." He authored a book on training titled Be fit! or be damned! A 1964 Cerutty biography by Graeme Kelly is titled Mr. Controversial. Cerutty also inspired characters in the athletic novels The Olympian by Brian Glanville and The Games by Hugh Atkinson (altho' Atkinson further disguises his character by mentioning the actual Cerutty). Cerutty retired from coaching in 1969 and died on 14 August 1975.