USTFCCCA Hall of Fame Honors Pepin

Phoenix, Ariz. ? On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Nebraska track and field Head Coach Gary Pepin was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame at the annual USTFCCCA Coaching Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Pepin, who began coaching 1967 as an assistant coach at the University of Kansas under legendary coach Bob Timmons (USTFCCCA Class of 1997), will enter his 29th season at the women’s head coach and 26th season as the head coach of both squads in 2009.  Throughout the previous 28 years, Pepin has guided his teams to 64 Big Eight and Big 12 Conference titles.

 

“I am excited to be placed in the company of so many of the other great coaches in this profession,” Pepin said.  “A lot of coaches who were enshrined into the Hall of Fame before me were coaches I looked up to and admired a great deal and many were friends and associates of mine.  This is truly a great honor.”

 

Pepin, who graduated from Pittsburg High School and later Pittsburg State University, has coached more than 440 NCAA All-Americans.  Since 2000, his student-athletes have combined to win 116 Big 12 and 18 NCAA individual titles.  During that same time frame, his teams have combined to win 16 Big 12 indoor and outdoor track and field team championships. 

 

Nebraska has had 11 top-ten NCAA team finishes since 2000 under Pepin’s leadership, including a tie for fourth place by the Husker women at the 2006 national championships. 

 

“We are very proud of Gary Pepin and everything his program as achieved in his 28 years at Nebraska,” Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne said. “Each year his student-athletes not only excel in athletics, but in the classroom. With six former athletes competing in the Olympics this year, it is easy to see why he is deserving of this distinct honor.”

 

Pepin’s success while at Nebraska has not gone unnoticed in the public eye as he was named the 2005 United States Track Coaches Association (now the USTFCCCA) Indoor Track and Field Midwest Region Coach of the Year, as well as the Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. 

 

Pepin, who came to Nebraska following the 1980 season, has won women’s conference coach of the year honors 15 of the 21 years since the conference began recognizing the award.  Many of his former athletes have gone on to achieve remarkable post-collegiate careers.  The most notable is Merlene Ottey, the eight-time Olympian, world champion, and world-record holder.  Pepin has also coached Rhonda Blanford, a four-time NCAA champion, and Dusty Jonas, a 2008 Olympic team member and 2008 NCAA Indoor champion in the high jump.

 

The Huskers are set to open the 2009 track and field season at the Devaney Center Indoor Track on Friday, Jan. 16, at the Holiday Inn Invitational. With a conference title in 2009 the Big Red will post its 100th title in program history.  For more information check Huskers.com.