Track coach Jaakko Mikkola and fencing mentor Rene Peroy will retire at the end of this year, it was learned his night. Both veterans of University coaching will reach the age of 66 by spring. No replacements will be announced until then.

Mikkola has nursed freshman and varsity teams through 31 of their best years. Track was a major sport when he took over in 1920, and although it has since been overshadowed by baseball in the spring. Mikkola has consistently forged teams that have kept Harvard high on inter-collegiate running lists.

Peroy has been here since 1929. In the 20's, fencing was considered a kid-glove sport, but Peroy had learned the trade in France, where fencing attracts top athletes. He introduced rugged exercise for hopeful swordsmen, and began drills that made fencing a sport which required top condition. With this start, fencing at Harvard became a feature of the athletic program.

Replacements for these two men have not yet been picked because the Athletic Association wants time to observe their assistants.

Mikkola's right hand man is Bill McCurdy, who handles the field events side of track meets. McCurdy came here last year, while Vera is new this year.