Yetmar and her team will immediately begin the process of hiring a Head Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Coach to join the Wildcat staff.
Byers is wrapping up his first season at Baker, as he has served as the Interim Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach for the Wildcats in 2014-15 and helped Baker capture five Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships (2014 HAAC Men’s Cross Country, 2015 HAAC Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field, 2015 HAAC Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field).
He was also named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times this season (2014 HAAC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year, 2015 HAAC Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year and the 2015 HAAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year.)
“Tim has been a tremendous leader for our programs this season,” said Yetmar. “He didn’t hesitate in stepping up to the challenge to guide our teams through adversity, and our student-athletes responded with championship performances. Tim is a person of great character and energy. He has a strong competitive spirit and shares our vision in continuing the tradition of excellence we have come to expect from our cross country and track & field programs. This promotion is well-deserved and the right fit for Baker.”
Byers has coached at many collegiate levels, including NAIA, NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and D-III.
He has also served as the head track and field coach at Ottawa University (Kan.) and Simpson College (Iowa).
In his 19 years as a collegiate cross country and track coach, Byers has been a part of 24 conference championships, led 266 NAIA/NCAA conference players, 30 NAIA/NCAA conference champions, 102 NAIA/NCAA national qualifiers, 19 NAIA/NCAA All-Americans and one NCAA national champion in the women's javelin.
“I am very thankful for the recent promotion to Director of Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs at Baker University, and look forward to carrying on the rich tradition Baker has built over the past several years,” said Byers. “I will make every effort to maintain championship expectations with the recruitment and advancement of excellent student-athletes. This is an incredible opportunity and I am truly grateful for the honor Theresa Yetmar and Baker University have bestowed upon me.”
Those interested in the Head Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Coach position should apply through the Baker University Human Resources Department at [email protected].
The Baker track & field team has 15 student-athletes competing at the 2015 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships this week, May 21-23 in Gulf Shores, Ala.
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