Oct. 20, 2008
COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina head track and field coach Curtis Frye was recently bestowed with the Order of Ikkos Medallion, presented by the United States Olympic Committee. The Order of Ikkos is a special order reserved for the coach of an Olympic/Paralympic medalist. The medallion signifies the highest level of excellence that a coach can achieve.
Frye received the honor after coaching Jerome Singleton Jr. to a silver medal in the men’s 100-meter dash at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Singleton finished in a personal-best 11.2 seconds to earn the medal and followed his performance with a gold medal as a member of the U.S. 400-meter relay team that set a world record at 42.75.
“It is a true honor to be awarded the Order of Ikkos Medallion,” Frye said. “I appreciate all that the USOC has done and am blessed to have contributed to the performance of Jerome in Beijing. He showed us what happens when you prepare, support and provide for…he’s a world class athlete.”
Frye is in his 13th year as head track and field coach at South Carolina. He has coached or overseen over 60 NCAA champions, 108 SEC champions and more than 380 All-Americans during his career. One of the most well-respected coaches in the country, Frye brought South Carolina its first team NCAA championship in any sport when his women’s team captured the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championship crown. A three-time United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA) National Coach of the Year, Frye has coached 31 Olympians who have won 10 medals, including three gold medals.
The Order of Ikkos was initiated by the United States Olympic Committee in 2008. The purpose of the medallion is to recognize the coach for their integral part in the success of their Olympians, since it is not tradition for them to receive a medal or recognition from the IOC. The order is named after Ikkos of Tarentum, who is the first recorded Olympic Coach. Ikkos won the Pentathlon at the 84th Olympiad in 444 B.C. and later became known for his coaching ability as he led two fellow Tarentine athletes to gold in the same event.
