Michael Smith Named Big Sky Men's Coach of the Year

OGDEN, Utah. (March 5, 2019) - Northern Arizona University's men's track and field team team earned its eighth consecutive indoor title during the 2019 indoor season, led by Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Michael Smith. Smith has been named the 2019 Big Sky Men's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year as voted on by the league's coaches.

This is the third year in a row that Smith has earned coach of the year for the indoor track and field season; he was also presented with the award after the men's team won the 2017 and 2018 titles. It is the 21st time an NAU coach has received this award. 

Under Smith's direction, the NAU men's team scored the third highest point total in Big Sky history (178.5) on their way to the team title.  Additionally, Smith coached six individuals that won gold medals at the indoor championships.

NAU's distance runners took home the gold in the mile, 3,000 meters, and the 5,000 meters while sweeping the podium entirely in the 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter. 

Smith also coached NAU athletes to gold medals in the 60-meter dash, the 200-meters, and the weight throw.

Also, under Smith's guidance, NAU will send three athletes to compete in the 2019 NCAA Indoor National Championship. Smith is assisted by head throws coach Jason Schultz, assistant distance coaches Becca DeLoache and Jarred Cornfield, head jumps coach Matthew Harmeyer and head sprints and hurdles coach Alan Dunson.