Track & Field Announces The Retirement of Coach Jim Garnham Sr. Following The Outdoor Season
4/23/2024 2:49:00 PM | Track and Field
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo Track & Field team announced the retirement of legendary throwing coach Jim Garnham Sr. at the UB Alumni Invite last Saturday. With several alumni in attendance, the Bulls honored the long-time coach.
Garnham began coaching at UB in 2001 and since then has won five NCAA Northeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year Awards. The program's lone individual national title came from one of his throwers, Jonathan Jones, who won the shot put at the 2015 national championships. Garnham has coached six all-American athletes, three men and three women. Over 40 of his throwers have qualified for indoor or outdoor NCAA regional championships too.
During Garnham's tenure, the UB throwing program saw unprecedented levels of success in the Mid-American Conference. From 2009 through 2017, Garnham's athletes won 17 of the 18 men's shot put MAC Championships, and since 2021, Jonathan Surdej has won seven consecutive shot put MAC Championships. On the women's side, the Bulls won 15 MAC titles in throwing events from 2004 through 2013.
In addition to all of the conference and national accomplishments, coach Garnham's athletes have re-written the school record books. Across the 120 top performances in school history for men's and women's throwing events, 116 occurred under his tenure.
"During his 23 years, Coach Garnham has developed the UB throwing program into a powerhouse," said Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "However, he has been more than just a coach. Jim has been a mentor, leader, parent and much more to all of us. He has generously shared his expertise for the pure joy and love of helping others succeed."
Former athletes of Coach Garnham echoed similar sentiments about his impact on their athletic careers, but also their personal life. What they had to say:
"Without Coach Garnham my story does not exist," said UB Hall of Fame thrower Rob Golabek. "What I accomplished at UB is just as much his story as it is mine. Every single step of the way, Coach Garnham was there for me. All the good times and the bad, he stood by my side. He has been one of the most influential men in my life."
"It was such an honor to put on the blue and white and be coached by him," said Kristy Woods, an all-American thrower under Garnham. "All the hours. The blood, sweat and tears. His legacy will live on in all of the athletes that he coached."
"Coach Garnham believed in my abilities from day one," said seven-time shot put MAC Champion Surdej. "It's because of his dedication to this program that we have been so successful. I can't put into words what coach means to me. I will always look up to him as a mentor and a friend."
"When I was looking for a track and field program to join after high school, not many people saw potential in me. Not only did Coach Garnham see my potential, but he also created an opportunity for me," said current student-athlete Caleb Nickens. "After joining the team as a walk-on, I am now a six-time MAC Championship podium finisher, an NCAA first-round qualifier and rank third all-time in school history in the weight and hammer throw. I credit this improvement to Coach Garnham's dedication to me, his uplifting attitude and all of the opportunities he has given me."
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Players Mentioned
