Jim Garnham Sr. Named Regional Assistant Coach Of The Year
6/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo track and field assistant coach Jim Garnham Sr. has been named the Northeast Region's Assistant Coach of the Year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced on Friday morning. Garnham is in his ninth year as the throwing coach for the Bulls, following more than 30 years as a track and field coach at the high school level. Under his tutelage, UB has had numerous MAC Champions in the hammer throw, shot put and discus.
During this current season, Garnham has led throwers on both the men's and women's side to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, OR. On the men's side, Matt Gac has qualified for both the hammer throw and discus, while on the women's side Kristy Woods will compete in the shot put, currently with the fifth best throw of all competitors at the national meet. At the MAC Championships in mid-May the Bulls swept MAC titles in the shot put as both Becky O'Brien and Rob Golaback won titles for UB.
Garnham was also instrumental on helping the progress of senior Jake Madonia, who overcame a synovial sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. Madonia came back to compete and won his first MAC Shot Put title this past indoor season. In the outdoor season, Madonia finished third at the MAC Championships and 13th at the NCAA East Preliminary meet.
Garnham has coached MAC Champions in five of the last six seasons counting both indoor and outdoor MAC Championships. In his nine seasons at Buffalo, the Bulls have had MAC Champion throwers in six of them, including some of the best track and field athletes ever to compete for the Blue and White.
Garnham was one of nine assistant coaches recognized on the men's side as USTFCCCA Regional Assistant Coaches of the Year.
