Ed Lidderdale, a Waynesburg, Ohio native and beloved Sandy Valley High School track coach, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, leaving his family, friends, and loved ones devastated.
The untimely death of Ed Lidderdale came nearly a week after he suffered a severe fall on Friday. He was admitted to the ICU following the accident, but unfortunately, he passed away on Tuesday.
Sandy Valley High School took to its official site to announce the untimely passing of its beloved longtime coach, Ed Lidderdale.
The post reads:
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the tragic loss of Coach Ed Lidderdale, Hall of Fame coach, former teacher, and devoted Sandy Valley community member. The faculty and staff of Sandy Valley wish to extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives, friends, and colleagues of Coach Lidderdale.”
Similarly, many of his students and loved ones are also paying tribute to the late Ed and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Ed Lidderdale touched the lives of many as a great coach and teacher, leading his track and field team to several victories throughout his tenure.
In his four decades of coaching, Lidderdale won several accolades, including being named Stark County Coach of the Year once in track and twice in cross country.
Lidds was also named the District Five track coach of the year five times and the cross-country coach of the year three times.
Additionally, he was named league coach of the year twice in track and 13 times in cross country.
During his tenure, Ed Lidderdale coached 74 state qualifiers, 32 state placers, and four state champions.
Similarly, Lidderdale led his teams to win 15 conference championships, three district championships, one regional championship, and a state runner-up finish in track during his tenure.
Late Ed Lidderdale Also Served As a Teacher And in Many Other Administrative Roles
In addition to serving as the coach at Sandy Valley High School, the late Ed Lidderdale also gracefully succeeded in his role as a teacher for decades.
Although he retired from his teaching journey, Ed continued to serve his community as a coach at his alma mater, Sandy Valley High School.
Additionally, he served in many administrative roles in the Track and Cross Country sports.
Ed Lidderdale served as the vice president and president of the Stark County Cross Country Association and the East District Coaches Association, helping the association bring the All-Academic awards.
He also served as the District 5 representative to the OATCCC for 20 years and held the positions of vice president and president of the State Coaches Association.
During his tenure as president of the State Coaches Association, Ed helped Ohio add wheelchair events ot the State Championship Track and Field Meet, the first sport in Ohio to recognize disabled athletes at that level.
For his remarkable contribution to the Ohio sports community, Ed Lidderdale was inducted into the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2015.
Ed’s contributions to the community and his kind, cheerful nature will always be remembered.
Ed Lidderdale is survived by his two daughters, Angela Lidderdale and Amanda Lidderdale Gonzalez (son-in-law, Juan), grandchildren, Elias and Elena, and the whole family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Linda S. Lidderdale, a retired art teacher from Canton Local School District who passed away on July 30, 2017, at the age of 69.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The late Edward ‘Ed’ Lidderdale graduated from Sandy Valley High School in 1964 and later attended Kent State University.
- Ed’s family has yet to provide details about his funeral and memorial services.
- He also served as Pole Vault Coach.
