Lakeshore Athletic Services History
Lakeshore Athletic Services, Inc. (LAS) founded in 1977 by Tom Cooney who was then Head Coach of the track and cross-country teams at Loyola University Chicago and an active contributor to the running community in Chicago.
The 1970-1980’s were the formative years of road racing and triathlons with events produced by clubs and volunteers. Lakeshore Athletic Services established itself out of the need to provide equipment, crowd control fence, and race management at these young events.
During the 1990’s the number and size of the events grew, as online registration and “chip” timing changed how people were able to register and view their time, fueling exponential growth for events across the country. Lakeshore responded with timing services, tents, and equipment inventory specific to the needs of producing larger events.
The 2000s-2010s saw the number of events multiply, participation soar, sponsor activations become more sophisticated, and event management companies appear. Lakeshore expanded with equipment offices in Arizona, Florida, and Oklahoma to accommodate the national demand for its services.
COVID-19 saw the 2020s alter the landscape of participation events across the country. All events were affected, with some changes permanent.
Lakeshore is currently involved with over 350 small and large events across the country, including the Chicago Marathon, Ironman Triathlon, J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge and Chicago Public Schools Track and Field and Cross-Country timing.
Lakeshore Athletic Services has 20 full-time and permanent part-time employees across its three facilities in Morton Grove, IL and warehouse locations in Palmetto, FL, and Phoenix, AZ. If you are interested in working on events in Chicago and across the country click here
“There are event vendors and event partners… I am so thankful for Lakeshore Athletic Services for partnering (with us) to put out more than one fire. Their professionalism and simple willingness to help is top notch, making them the best in the business.”
Ann O’Neill- Piejko
Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation 5K
Lakeshore Athletic Services through the years
1980s
- LAS began to direct and manage events in Chicago and around the world. In 1989, LAS became the director of the America’s Paradise Triathlon in the US Virgin Islands.
1990s
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In 1991, LAS became the director of the Powerman Duathlon in Zofingen, Switzerland and in 1992 LAS served as the Operations Director of the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada
