Dr. Toms to Step Away from Coaching

Will Remain as Hornets Director of Athletics

LYNCHBURG, Va. --- He is going out on top. Just three days after leading his Lynchburg College outdoor men’s track & field team to the 2010 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship and earning conference Coach of the Year honors, head men’s cross country and track and field coach Dr. Jack Toms announced his retirement Tuesday from coaching, effective at the end of the season. He will remain as the director of athletics at the school.

Toms is the most successful coach in the history of Hornet athletics, with 67 conference and 26 NCAA Regional Coach of the Year awards. He was recognized in 1995 as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s top track and field coach with the Walt Cormack Award for success at the college level. Dr. Toms was inducted into the Lynchburg College Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.

Having coached the track and field teams for 31 years, Toms had an individual or team qualify for the NCAA national meet every year. He has produced 86 All-Americans and 12 National Champions. His men’s track & field teams swept the conference indoor and outdoor competitions in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010 - winning by large margins. Track teams under Toms' tutelage have won 38 of the last 41 league titles, and he has mentored the Regional and NCAA MVP. He has coached 10 NCAA South/Southeast Regional Athletes of the Year and three National Athletes of the Year. His cross country teams have won the last two ODAC titles and had the Division III national champion in 2009 - Ricky Flynn.

Dr. Toms’ XC teams have won 14 conference titles.

“It has been a honor coaching the outstanding student-athletes and great teams that have come through Lynchburg College the last 31 years,” said Dr. Toms. “We have had great success nationally for a school of this size over the years, and I am very proud of what level the cross country and track programs have been able to reach. “

“The time was right for me to step down from the cross country and track & field programs, it is very difficult to give 100 percent to what amounts to two full-time jobs. We will begin a national search shortly to fill the position with the individual that can carry on the great tradition that has been built at LC.”

Also the director of athletics for Lynchburg College, he directed LC to the ODAC Commissioner’s Cup twice, awarded to the best overall athletic program in the conference, and in 2009 led LC to the Men's Commissioner's Cup. Under his leadership, the LC athletic department has achieved unparalleled success, as it is one of the top athletic programs on the ODAC. He is a 1969 graduate of Lynchburg College.

“Dr. Toms has established a legacy of excellence not only in the cross country and track and field programs, but in the entire Department of Athletics at Lynchburg College,” said Lynchburg College President Dr.

Kenneth Garren.  “His superb leadership has carried the LC athletic program into the top 10 of all NCAA Division III programs in the country.  His retirement from active coaching will give him the opportunity to move the athletic program of Lynchburg College toward the position of #1 in the country.”

The Hornets dominated the conference meet at Bridgewater this weekend, winning their 12th-ODAC Outdoor Title in the last 13 seasons. LC more than doubled the point total of its nearest competitor, earning 224 points to Bridgewater College’s 102. Dan Reid was named the Outstanding Athlete of the Meet and Dakota Pellman was tabbed as Freshman of the Year.  LC will compete this Thursday night at the Liberty University twilight meet and has several more events scheduled prior to the Division III Outdoor Championships May 27-29.

This release is courtesy of the Lynchburg College sports information department.