After 10 years as Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Coach at Hastings College, Kendrick Clay ’96 has announced his resignation. His departure is effective at the end of the 2012-13 track and field season.
Coach Clay ran cross country and track while a Hastings College student, setting records in the 5000-meter run. He earned bids for the NAIA Cross Country Tournament all four years and ran in the NAIA Track and Field Meet two years. During his coaching tenure at Hastings College, Coach Clay has produced 9 individual national champions, 90 NAIA All-Americans in Cross Country and Track and Field, more than 200 national qualifiers in Cross Country and Track and Field, and nearly 80 NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes. Among the national champions he coached was Ronnie Taylor ’12, a long jumper who made it to the US Olympic Team Trial Finals in June 2012. In 2010, Coach Clay was recognized as the GPAC Coach of the Year.
“My decision to step down is due to the fact that my energy levels and passion for the sport have diminished,” said Clay. “As my colleagues in the Athletic Department know, to remain competitive and meet the demands necessary to sustain and achieve a high level of athletic excellence as well as administrative tasks takes a person that is dynamic, high energy and enthusiastic about the sport.”
“Coach Clay distinguished himself at Hastings College first as a scholar-athlete and then as a coach. On behalf of the College, I would like to thank Coach Clay for so capably serving the institution and the students he coached,” said Jerry Schmutte, Hastings College Athletic Director. “Hastings College will officially begin the search for the next head coach on January 28, 2013.”
