USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame Continues To Expand Reach

Started in 1995, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Coaches Hall of Fame exists to recognize coaches who have brought a great distinction to themselves, to their institutions, and to the sports of cross country and track & field.

The USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame is committed to preserving the legacies and celebrating the storied careers of those who have made significant contributions to these sports.

RELATED: USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame History (1995-Present)

Since its inception, 223 coaches representing 179 different institutions across NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, the NAIA, the NJCAA, and high school levels have been inducted into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame. Those numbers will rise to 229 coaches and 182 institutions when the Class of 2025 is honored this December at the annual USTFCCCA Convention in Grapevine, Texas.

Bob Braman, Brian Diemer, James Henry, Russ Jewett, Boo Schexnayder, and Patty Vavra make up the Class of 2025. Those six legendary coaches are why the total climbs to 229. And the three new institutions? We’re glad you asked.

Never before had coaches from Missouri Southern, Pittsburg State, or South Florida been enshrined in the Coaches Hall of Fame. Vavra checks off the first box, Jewett the second, and Braman the third – before his move 275 miles northwest to Tallahassee and Florida State.

Speaking of Braman, he will become the third coach from Florida State inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame, joining former colleague and 2009 inductee Gary Winckler, as well as special inductee Mike Long.

Diemer will be the second coach from Calvin honored in the Hall, joining former colleague and 2021 inductee Dr. Nancy Meyer.

Henry will be the fourth coach from Michigan enshrined, following 1995 inductee Don Caham, 2011 inductee Keene Fitzpatrick, as well as special inductee Ken Doherty.

LSU boasts one of the deepest contingents in the Hall of Fame, and Schexnayder will become its sixth inductee. That group features several of his former colleagues: Dennis Shaver (2021), Dan Pfaff (2018), Billy Maxwell (2015), Pat Henry (2004), and Bill McClure (2002).

The 2025 induction ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16.