Temple University Athletics
Elvis Forde Named Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach
8.20.14 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
PHILADELPHIA – Elvis Forde, who has a quarter century of experience as a head track and field/cross country coach at the NCAA Division I level, has been named the new track and field/cross country coach at Temple University, announced Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin Clark.
Forde, a four-time All-American and two-time Olympian, comes to the Owls after spending the last dozen years as the head track and field coach at Illinois State. He had previously served 13 years as the head track and field coach at Austin Peay State.
"This is truly a great hire and we are extremely pleased to be able to bring to the Temple track program someone as highly regarded as Elvis Forde," said Clark. "He has the skill set and demeanor to lead the program to success on and off the track."
"I am very excited to be selected to lead the Temple Track and Field/Cross Country programs," said Forde. "I want to thank Kevin Clark along with Joe Giunta (Sr. Assoc. AD) for the opportunity. Temple University is a highly-regarded academic institution and it has the potential to be a tremendous track program. It also is in its second year in the highly competitive American Athletic Conference. That combination should help attract quality student-athletes that will make for a successful program."
A native of St. Andrew, Barbados, Forde has dedicated his life to the sport of track and field, helping student-athletes succeed not only in competition but in the classroom.
In his 12 years at ISU (2002-14), Forde was able to foster a successful environment, and coached many outstanding student-athletes including 10-time All-American and Capital One Academic All-American Brittany Smith, NCAA javelin champion Tim Glover, and two-time Missouri Valley Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year Devon Williams, who amassed 11 conference titles and set four school records and one MVC mark.
Named the 2001 Ohio Valley Coach of the Year during his 13-year tenure at Austin Peay State (1989-2002), Forde coached four Capital One Academic All-Americans, an NCAA Outdoor All-American and three conference Student-Athletes of the Year.
A successful runner in his own right, Forde started his collegiate career at Murray State, where he earned All-America honors as runner-up in the 600-yard dash at the 1982 NCAA Indoor Championships. He later transferred to Southern Illinois Carbondale where he earned multiple All-America honors for the Salukis. In 1984, as a member of the SIUC 1600-meter relay team, he helped set NCAA records during both the indoor (3:07.15) and outdoor (3:00.78) seasons. Named the Southern Illinois Student-Athlete of the Year as a senior in 1984, he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1995.
Following his successful college career, Forde competed in both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, representing Barbados. He was a two-time national champion at 600 yards at the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships and he still owns the Barbados national record in the 400-meter dash.
Forde owns a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Southern Illinois (1986) and a Master of Science degree in athletic administration from Austin Peay State (1994).
Forde, and his wife Beverly, are the proud parents of two children, Chante' and Kevin.
Forde, a four-time All-American and two-time Olympian, comes to the Owls after spending the last dozen years as the head track and field coach at Illinois State. He had previously served 13 years as the head track and field coach at Austin Peay State.
"This is truly a great hire and we are extremely pleased to be able to bring to the Temple track program someone as highly regarded as Elvis Forde," said Clark. "He has the skill set and demeanor to lead the program to success on and off the track."
"I am very excited to be selected to lead the Temple Track and Field/Cross Country programs," said Forde. "I want to thank Kevin Clark along with Joe Giunta (Sr. Assoc. AD) for the opportunity. Temple University is a highly-regarded academic institution and it has the potential to be a tremendous track program. It also is in its second year in the highly competitive American Athletic Conference. That combination should help attract quality student-athletes that will make for a successful program."
A native of St. Andrew, Barbados, Forde has dedicated his life to the sport of track and field, helping student-athletes succeed not only in competition but in the classroom.
In his 12 years at ISU (2002-14), Forde was able to foster a successful environment, and coached many outstanding student-athletes including 10-time All-American and Capital One Academic All-American Brittany Smith, NCAA javelin champion Tim Glover, and two-time Missouri Valley Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year Devon Williams, who amassed 11 conference titles and set four school records and one MVC mark.
Named the 2001 Ohio Valley Coach of the Year during his 13-year tenure at Austin Peay State (1989-2002), Forde coached four Capital One Academic All-Americans, an NCAA Outdoor All-American and three conference Student-Athletes of the Year.
A successful runner in his own right, Forde started his collegiate career at Murray State, where he earned All-America honors as runner-up in the 600-yard dash at the 1982 NCAA Indoor Championships. He later transferred to Southern Illinois Carbondale where he earned multiple All-America honors for the Salukis. In 1984, as a member of the SIUC 1600-meter relay team, he helped set NCAA records during both the indoor (3:07.15) and outdoor (3:00.78) seasons. Named the Southern Illinois Student-Athlete of the Year as a senior in 1984, he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1995.
Following his successful college career, Forde competed in both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, representing Barbados. He was a two-time national champion at 600 yards at the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships and he still owns the Barbados national record in the 400-meter dash.
Forde owns a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Southern Illinois (1986) and a Master of Science degree in athletic administration from Austin Peay State (1994).
Forde, and his wife Beverly, are the proud parents of two children, Chante' and Kevin.
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