'Everyone matters to Wayne': Quincy College gym renamed for fitness guru Wayne Westcott

QUINCY – When Wayne Westcott retired from his role as the longtime chairman of the exercise science program at Quincy College this summer, hundreds of well-wishers came out of the woodwork to tell stories of his impact, speak highly of his expertise and remember small, meaningful moments with the local fitness guru.

On Tuesday, a small sampling of those admirers attended a retirement party that ended with a surprise for the man of the hour – the renaming of the Quincy College gym to the Wayne Westcott , Ph.D Center for Health and Fitness and the establishment of the Exercise Science Academic Achievement Certificate to be given in his honor each year to a student in the exercise science program.

"I am just speechless," Westcott said to a cheering crowd. "(My wife and I) are just amazed by this. ... I love Quincy College so much, and this means so much. It's been our second home, and you all are family to us."

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A series of speakers before the announcement praised Westcott not only for his tangible achievements – he has written 30 books and more than 95 peer-reviewed papers and served as a strength training consultant for the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the Navy and six NFL teams – but also for his personal touch.

"Everyone matters to Wayne, no matter what age, gender, physical ability or stature," Rita La Rosa Loud, the school's fitness center supervisor, said. "Over the last 30 years, I have watched Wayne encouraging others and making it a point to highlight everyone's strengths. Truth be told, each person he connects with feels special the instant they meet him."

An Abington resident, Westcott, 73, said earlier this year he is retiring to spend more time with his wife, Claudia, who has been undergoing treatment for a recurrence of cancer. He said he is needed and wants to spend more time at home "to encourage and support her" and to help with the care of the house and her horse, as she once did.

Westcott said he's immensely proud of his work at the college and how the fitness program has helped so many people, particularly middle-aged and older adults.

"It brings a lot of people together in a comfortable, mutual, nonjudgmental environment where they can all get along," he said. "We've had doctors and political figures with us, and everybody else. There's no barrier to training. Everyone is the same."

Westcott said he knew something had been planned to mark his long career, but he didn't know exactly what. The renaming of the fitness center was a surprise, and he mouthed the word "wow" as the plaque was revealed.

"Oh my goodness. I'm so honored," he said. "I'm really humbled by this. Don't believe everything these people are saying. Over time, you can accomplish a lot. It's not as impressive as they make it all sound, but I'm certainly honored they thought so."

Since developing and launching the college’s exercise science curriculum in 2006, Westcott has taught and trained hundreds of students whose Quincy College education helped prepare them for rewarding professional careers. Knowledgeable and personable, he also became a beloved fitness guru to many South Shore adults, some in their 80s and 90s, who use the college's fitness center.

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Westcott has written hundreds of newspaper, magazine and journal articles, including a biweekly column for The Patriot Ledger for 33 years. He also recently co-authored a chapter focusing on fitness in older adults in the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s “Essentials of Personal Training” textbook.

He previously was the longtime fitness research director at the South Shore YMCA.

Last October, Westcott received the Honor Award from the New England chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine. The award is presented annually to a member who has provided significant contributions to both the organization and the field of exercise science.

"Everyone who came to the YMCA, everyone who came to (Quincy College), was blessed with everything that you did for them," college President Richard DeCristofaro told Westcott. "And that was not just because you knew so much, but because you gave so much. What really matters in life is not everything that you know, it's who you are."

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Reporter Sue Scheible contributed to this report. Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy College gym renamed for fitness guru Wayne Westcott