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Head coach Bill Thornton |  |
| University of Kansas | ||
| E-mail: thorntow@stolaf.edu | ||
| Phone: 507-786-3256 | ||
Bill Thornton begins his 35th year as head coach of track & field at St. Olaf. From 1970 through 1984 and 1997- the present time he has served or is serving as Coach of Cross Country. During his tenure he has coached 96 Midwest Conference and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Champions, 29 NCAA Division III and one NCAA College Division All Americans, including five National Champions. Of the Conference Champions 13 are MIAC Record Holders, eight Indoors and five Outdoors, in the events currently contested. One of the national champions is the current NCAA In door record holder.
A strong beleiver in coaching education, he holds USAT&F Level I and II Coaching Certifications as well as Bronze and Silver Level Certification in the Pole vault . His Level II Certifications are in the event areas of Jumps and T hro ws.
Coach Thornton is a member of the United States Track Coaches Association and the NCAA Division III Track Coaches Association where he has served as Secretary since 1984. Since 1985 he has been involved in the United States Olympic Festivals, s p onso red by the United States Olympic Committee, serving as a Travel Coordinator, and most recently as an Assistant Commisioner for Men's Athletics (Track & Field). A 1996 sabbatical leave enabled him the oppurtunity to serve as Co-manger of Equipment and co-supervisor of Field of Play for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Ranked as an Associate Professor of Physical Education his teaching expertise includes a variety of Activity Classes as well as Exercise Physiology, and Lifeguard Training. He has c arried his strong beliefs in Teaching and Coaching Education and served as a Clinician at numerous clinics around the country.
A 1963 graduate of the University of Kansas with a Physical Education major and Biological Science minor. He received a Master s Degree from the University of Arkansas in 1964.
Assistant coaches: Rob McCarthy
