Dean Hayes, Bill Falk Honored with Service Awards at USTFCCCA Convention

Thursday, December 19

ORLANDO, Fla. – Among the numerous awards and honors bestowed at the 2013 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Convention were a pair of special awards honoring long service and dedication to the sport.

Bill Falk, founder of MF Athletics and a long-time pole vault coach and clinic coordinator, was honored with the George Dales Award prior to the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Monday, while long-time Middle Tennessee State head coach Dean Hayes was honored Tuesday with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award during the Convention’s opening session.

George Dales Award
Bill Falk, Rhode Island

A long-time fixture in the Rhode Island track & field scene, a national expert in the pole vault and an innovator in specialized track & field equipment, Bill Falk was honored with the 2013 George Dales Award.

The George Dales Award is named in honor of longtime Western Michigan coach George Dales for his relentless pursuit in the growth and development of track and field and cross country over more than half a century. This award is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to a distinguished individual who, through their efforts, has enhanced the profession of coaching track and field and cross country.

Falk was inducted into the Rhode Island Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, where he was the head coach of track & field for 18 seasons. During that time he won five New England Coach of the Year awards while guiding five All-Americans, five IC4A champions and 20 New England champions.

As the founder of track & field equipment retailer MF Athletics and the host of countless track & field clinics throughout the years for both coaches and athletes, Falk has continued to make a significant impact on the sport following his time at Rhode Island.

PAST WINNERS
2006 – George Dales, Western Michigan
2007 – Victor Lopez, Rice
2008 – Steve Simmons, Cal Poly
2009 – Dr. Leroy Walker, North Carolina Central
2010 – Stan Huntsman, Texas
2011 – Sam Bell, Indiana
2012 – Ed Temple, Tennessee State

Jimmy Carnes Award
Dean Hayes, Middle Tennessee State

Still going strong in a nearly 50-year tenure at Middle Tennessee State that has included numerous roles in the USTFCCCA and the preceding USTCA, Dean Hayes was recognized Tuesday during the Opening Session with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award.

The USTFCCCA’s Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the Association and to the sports of Cross Country and Track and Field.

His men’s and women’s teams in track & field and cross country teams at MTSU have captured a combined 47 conference titles between the OVC and Sun Belt, and mentored nearly 50 different student-athletes to 85 All-America honors. His teaching has gone far beyond his Murfreesboro campus, having served also served many times as a Symposium speaker for the USTFCCCA Convention.

From 1981 through 1983 he served as the president of the Division I Track Coaches Association, and since he has served on a number of USTFCCCA committees.

PAST WINNERS
2008 – John Copeland, Rhode Island
2008 – Bill Thornton, St. Olaf College
2009 – Doug Watts, Edinboro University
2010 – Jim Sackett, Cal Poly Pomona
2011 – Dave Harris, Emporia State
2012 – Gary Wilson, Minnesota

ABOUT THE USTFCCCA
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents over 8,000 coaching members encompassing 94% of all NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, and DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA as well as a number of state high school coaches associations. The USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track & field coaches, providing a leadership structure to assist the needs of a diverse membership, serving as a lobbyist for coaches’ interests, and working as a liaison between the various stakeholders in the sports of cross country and track & field.




U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
1100 Poydras Street, Suite 1750
New Orleans, LA 70163

Contact: Kyle Terwillegar
Communications Assistant
kyle@ustfccca.org
(504) 599-8905