USTFCCCA Service Awards Presented at Convention

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http://www.ustfccca.org/2011/12/featured/ustfccca-service-awards-presented-at-convention

http://www.ustfccca.org/2011/12/featured/ncaa-and-espn-reach-deal-that-brings-di-outdoor-track-field-to-new-network







USTFCCCA Service Awards Presented at Convention

Indiana’s Sam Bell given George Dales Award, Dave Harris garnered with Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award



December 16, 2011



SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Two in the coaching profession were honored for their long service and dedication to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) at the organization’s convention this week at the JW Marriot Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. Former Indiana coach Sam Bell was honored with the George Dales Award while former Emporia State coach Dave Harris was presented with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award.



George Dales Award

Sam Bell



Sam Bell, a former coach at Oregon State, California, and Indiana, was presented with the George Dales Award.



Bell served his fellow coaches as President of the United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA) from 1997-2002. He previously served as President of the Division I Track Coaches Association from 1979-80. He was also one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Athletics Congress, which replaced the AAU as the governing body of track & field in the U.S.



In addition to a successful 40-year coaching career in the college ranks, he enjoyed a fruitful international coaching career. He served as an assistant coach for the 1976 U.S. Olympic team, and he was head coach of the 1979 U.S. World Cup team.



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.



PAST WINNERS

2006 - George Dales

2007 - Victor Lopez

2008 - Steve Simmons

"Simmons attended Roosevelt High School in Dayton, Ohio, and Los Angeles City College before earning his bachelor's degree at Chapman College and his master's in education at Cal Poly. He was an All-American high hurdler at Chapman and an all-conference basketball player at LACC.

Prior to his appointment at Cal Poly, Simmons was an assistant coach at Chapman (1966-70). He went on to be Oregon State's head coach from 1976-79 and currently is a vice president at Accusplit Sports Timing. He resides in San Jose." http://www.gopoly.com/inside_athletics/hof/Simmons_Steve



2009 - Dr. Leroy Walker

2010 - Stan Huntsman

2011 – Sam Bell (California 1965-1969)



Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award

Dave Harris



Former Division II Executive Council Chairman Dave Harris was presented 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.



Harris served in a number of leadership positions within the USTFCCCA, including President, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President of Division II Track & Field. He was the first non-Division I President of the USTFCCCA, serving in the role during the years of 2005 and 2006 and leading the Association through its reorganization in 2005. When Division II coaches within the USTFCCCA looked to reorganize by forming an Executive Council, he was a natural choice as the group’s first Chairman. Dave served in that role from 2009-2010.



Harris recently became the Head Cross Country Coach at the University of Nebraska after serving as the Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at Emporia State University for nearly 20 years.



Harris continues to serve the USTFCCCA as chair of the Hall of Fame Committee.



PAST WINNERS

2008 - John Copeland, Rhode Island

2008 - Bill Thornton, St. Olaf College (retired)

2009 - Doug Watts, Edinboro University

2010 – Jim Sackett, Cal Poly Pomona

Sackett began his coaching career at Davis High School in Northern California.http://www.dyestatcal.com/news/tr2008/December/20/USTFCCA.htm


2011 – Dave Harris, Emporia State



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.



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NCAA and ESPN Reach Deal That Brings DI Outdoor Track & Field to New Network





INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has agreed to a $500 million deal with ESPN to broadcast the championships in many of its sports through the 2023-24 school year, including outdoor track & field. ESPN has been the rights holder for DI indoor track & field for many years and that will continue with the new agreement.



The contract announced Thursday gives the company international rights to the men’s basketball tournament. It continues the network’s U.S. coverage of the women’s basketball tourney and the College World Series for baseball and softball.



ESPN’s multimedia platforms will air the championships for seven more sports to increase the total to 24 — adding women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s fencing, Division I women’s lacrosse, Division I men’s and women’s outdoor track, and women’s bowling. There will be more than 600 hours of live programming annually.



ESPN will air more contests in the early rounds of the Division I FCS football, women’s volleyball, softball and baseball tournaments. The deal, which takes effect immediately, includes expanded coverage of the preseason and postseason NIT.

The two sides had signed an 11-year, $200 million contract in 2001.







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Tom Lewis

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: tom@ustfccca.org

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