Robert Giegengack became head coach of Fordham's track team in 1938 at the age of 31, becoming the youngest track coach at a major university. In his first year, his runners set three world records, and finished second in the IC4A Championship. In 1941, Fordham captured their first IC4A title. Giegengack went on to coach Yale University for 29 years, as well as the United States team at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, where his team won 12 gold medals.