JONESBORO, Ark. (4/16/24) – Arkansas State Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Dr. Jim Patchell – the program's all-time winningest head coach – has been tabbed as part of the 29th class in the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Patchell – the program's 12th inductee into the hall – will be inducted during a banquet held on Friday, May 31, in the Silver City Ballroom of the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock, Ark. He joins fellow inductees Lonnie Greene (Arkansas), John Mackey (Greenwood HS), Diane Treadway (Lyon College/Batesville), Nate Krig (Central Arkansas), Andrew Irwin (Mount Ida/Arkansas), Whitney Jones (Searcy/Arkansas) and Rod Newton (Crossett).
The Heber Springs native and A-State track and field alumnus has led his alma mater's program since 2011, and has lifted the Red Wolves to new heights – combining for 29 Sun Belt Conference team titles. He has been named SBC Coach of the Year 22 times, and his teams have finished no lower than fifth in all but one of the four track and field championships contested each year.
As a student-athlete, Patchell was a sprinter and hurdler, and upon graduate began as a graduate assistant. Before returning to A-State, he held assistant positions at Arkansas and Tulane before being named head coach at Campbell.
On the national stage, A-State has seen 45 total All-American honors (15 indoor, 30 outdoor) under Patchell's leadership, including 16 first-team laurels.
Tickets for the banquet are $50 per person ($52 if purchased by credit card) or $400 for a table of 8. Orders for tickets should be mailed or emailed to Leon White, 34 Margeaux Drive, Little Rock, AR 72223, leonandbethwhite@gmail.com and must be received by May 26 to be guaranteed. Tickets may be picked up at the ATFHF registration desk after 5 p.m. May 31.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the A-State track and field and cross country programs, follow @AStateTrack on Twitter and @astatetfxc on Instagram, while also liking the team's Facebook page at Facebook.com/AStateTrackAndField.
A-STATE IN THE ARKANSAS TRACK AND FIELD HALL OF FAME
2024 – Dr. Jim Patchell
2022 – Sharika Nelvis
2019 – Anthony Hampton
2011 – Morry Sanders
2010 – Jeff Hartwig, Monika Klebe
2008 – Dariel Johnson
2007 – Jay Flanagan
1997 – Al Joyner
1996 – Thomas Hill
1995 – Guy Kochel, Earl Bell
