Sept. 1, 2009
NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) underwent a changing of the guard on Tuesday, September 1st, as South Carolina Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Curtis Frye began his duties as the new President of the USTFCCCA, replacing outgoing President Pat Henry of Texas A&M University.
“Having the confidence of the Association and to be elected by your peers is always special. I’m looking forward to the responsibility of directing and being thoroughly involved to spearhead, motivate and carry on the mission to make sure that the coaches and the sports of cross country and track & field are truly represented at all levels,” said Frye.
Frye, in his 13th season as the head coach at USC, becomes the sixth President of the USTFCCCA. This marks the first time in USTFCCCA history that an African-American will lead the organization.
“The BCA (Black Coaches and Administrators) would like to express our extreme pleasure with the election of Curtis Frye, Head Track and Field Coach at the University of South Carolina, as the new president of the USTFCCCA. In 13 years at South Carolina, Coach Frye has established one of the nation’s best programs. He will bring this leadership to a position in which he will become the first coach of color to assume the role. We are proud of Coach Frye and the USTFCCCA for this milestone,” said BCA Executive Director Floyd A. Keith.
Frye has established the University of South Carolina into one of the nation’s elite programs with consistency and hard work. During his 13 years as the head coach in Columbia, Frye has coached 60 NCAA champions, 108 SEC champions, and over 380 All-Americans. In 2002 Frye led his women’s team to the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship, giving South Carolina its first team NCAA national championship in any sport.
“This is a chance to work with a great group of people that love the sport and love coaching. Our educators on every level from the NAIA to NCAA Division I are a great group of people that are molding the sports of cross country and track & field and helping us mold kids. I’m excited,” added Frye.
Frye is a three-time NCAA National Coach of the Year, winning the award in 1999 (men’s indoor/women’s outdoor) and in 2002 (women’s outdoor). In addition to the success achieved by his athletes on the track, similar success has been achieved off of the track as well. Frye’s athletes have earned four USTFCCCA National Scholar Athlete of the Year honors, a Southeastern Conference (SEC) Scholar Athlete of the Year award, and his teams have won two USTFCCCA National Scholar Team of the Year honors.
About the USTFCCCA
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is the non-profit professional organization that represents men’s and women’s cross country and track and field coaches in the United States. The organization represents over 8,000 coaching members, including 91% of NCAA track and field coaches. USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track and 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 and field.
