John Cook
From WikiRun
| John Cook | |
| Born | 1941 at Munich, Germany |
|---|---|
John Cook is a track coach, who was head track coach of George Mason University from 1978 through Nov. 1997.
Before his coaching career at George Mason, Cook spent 10 years at Edison High School in Fairfax County, where he guided the Eagles to one indoor state track and field championship, one outdoor title, and four runner-up finishes in cross country. He was named the 1977 Virginia High School Coach of the Year in track and field.
Building the Mason program in patient but progressive fashion, Cook reached his ultimate goal when his team captured the 1996 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Indoor Track and Field Championship, upsetting 12-time defending champion Arkansas in the process. His 1996 outdoor squad also was impressive, finishing second in the nation. For his efforts, Cook was honored as the 1996 National Coach of the Year. It was the first time that a Coach of the Year was selected by write-in ballots.
"There have been many highlights: the growth and success of the Mobil Invitational, the Coach of the Year honor, and the NCAA championship, to name a few," Cook said. "That's when thinking about retirement started. Honestly, I achieved something I never thought I could. Once it was over, I realized how hard it was."[1]
A native of Munich, Germany, Cook saw his teams steadily climb the ranks during the 1980s and 1990s. A five-time NCAA District 2 Coach of the Year, Cook saw his Mason teams finish among the top 20 in the nation 13 times. Mason won a record seven consecutive Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) championships from 1989 to 1995 and became just the second school to win six straight combined indoor and outdoor IC4A titles (1989-91). Among the assistant coaches he trained was Scott Raczko.
Cook's program produced a total of 16 individual NCAA titles and a number of All Americans, Penn Relay champions, and IC4A ti tleists.
After leaving George Mason, Cook has been coaching elite athletes, including Shalane Flanagan and Shannon Rowbury.[2] Flanagan parted from Cook in early 2009.[3]
External links
- Southern Cooking: Coach John Cook directs 'the little things' for three rising stars - Running Times
- Cook's Ingredients: Fire still burns for "retired" GMU coach - Running Times
- Coach Cook Says Goodbye Patriots, Hello Retirement, The Mason Gazette
References
- ↑ http://www.gmu.edu/news/gazette/9711/cook.html Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ↑ Speck, Doug (March 11, 2008). Shannon Rowbury Interview: Sacred Heart Cathedral to Olympic Level Runner. dyestatcal.com. Retrieved on 2009-08-29.
- ↑ Patrick, Dick. "Flanagan splits with track coach, chases U.S. indoor record", USA Today, Feb 4, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-08-29.