Texas A&M’s Jim VanHootegem Named Men’s National Assistant Coach of the Year

June 19, 2009



Texas A&M’s Jim VanHootegem Named Men’s National Assistant Coach of the Year



NEW ORLEANS – Texas A&M’s men’s jump/multi event coach, Jim VanHootegem, has been named the NCAA Division I Men’s National Assistant Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, announced on Friday.



VanHootegem-coached athletes scored a total of 25 points at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as the Aggies took him their first-ever Division I Outdoor Track and Field title. Julian Reid paced the jumps crew with a second place finish in the triple jump and a fourth place finish in the long jump for a total of 13 points.



In the triple jump, the Aggies were represented by four athletes; Reid, Zuheir Sharif, Tyron Stewart, and Melvin Echard. The foursome totaled 18 points on the final day of competition with a 2-4-6-7 finish.



All in all, VanHootegem coached athletes earned a total of seven USTFCCCA All-American honors.



At the Midwest Regional Championship, VanHootegem’s jumpers totaled 37 points in the long and triple jumps. The Aggies took a two-three-four finish in the triple jump automatically qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships and picking up 21 team points. In the long jump, Reid and Stewart combined for a one-three finish adding another 16 points to the team point total.



2009 USTFCCCA National Athletes and Coaches of the Year

Women’s Track Athlete of the Year – Jennifer Barringer, University of Colorado

Women’s Field Athlete of the Year – Kim Williams, Florida State University

Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year – Vince Anderson, Texas A&M University

Women’s Head Coach of the Year – Pat Henry, Texas A&M University

Men’s Track Athlete of the Year – Galen Rupp, University of Oregon

Men’s Field Athlete of the Year – Ashton Eaton, University of Oregon

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year – Jim VanHootegem, Texas A&M University

Men’s Head Coach of the Year – Pat Henry, Texas A&M University



Keith J. Nunez

U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association

Communications Manager

1100 Poydras St., Suite 1750

New Orleans, LA 70163

(O) 504-599-8904 (F) 504-599-8909

Email: keith@ustfccca.org