Jan. 27, 2011

BALTIMORE, MD -- Johns Hopkins University is mourning the loss today of Dick Oles, the Blue Jay men's fencing coach from 1959-2003. Oles was struck and killed early on Thursday, January 27 as he walked along Mountain Road near Edwin Raynor Boulevard in Anne Arundel County. Oles was pronounced dead at Baltimore-Washington Medical Center at 3:30 am. The accident was first reported at approximately 2:30 am.

Oles, a 1968 Johns Hopkins graduate, compiled a record 643-214 in his 44 years as the head coach of the Blue Jay fencing team. He led Hopkins to 21 MACFA Championships and 12 finishes in the top 25 at the NCAA Fencing Championships. He was selected as the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1992 and earned MACFA Coach of the Year honors 10 times.

Oles' 643 wins are the second-most by any coach in any sport in Johns Hopkins history and his 44-year tenure is the longest for a coach in school history. He was inducted into the Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.

Information about services has not been released by the family at this time.

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