August 14, 2008
(release courtesy of Larry Happel, Central College sports information director)

PELLA, IOWA . . . Former St. Norbert College (Wis.) coach Joe Dunham has been named head men’s and women’s track and field coach at Central College.

Dunham replaces Kevin Sanger, who resigned in June after a highly successful 13-year run as men’s coach and nine seasons as women’s coach.

A three-time all-America cross country honoree who also earned track and field all-America recognition at Denison University (Ohio) and Keene State College (N.H.), Dunham served as head track and field coach at St. Norbert for four seasons and cross country coach for three years. He resigned following the 2007 spring season to enter private business. During his tenure at St. Norbert, the Green Knights broke 41 school records and had numerous NCAA Division III meet qualifiers while capturing an individual national title in the 800 meters. His squads consistently placed near the top of the Midwest Conference despite not having an on-campus track facility.

Earlier Dunham spent two years as an assistant at Trinity College (Conn.), helping the women’s cross country squad place second in the 2003 NCAA Division III meet. He earned a master’s degree at Trinity.

“I’m elated to be part of such a strong tradition,” Dunham said. “The success of the whole athletics department at Central makes this a really attractive position. I felt a real sense of excitement on campus and think this is a great opportunity.”

Dunham has lofty goals for the Dutch.

“Kevin (Sanger) did such a great job in building the program, I think the pieces are in place,” he said. “There are a lot of things Central has that many other schools wish they had. That’s what makes this so exciting.”

Central installed a 400-meter BSS 1000 polyurethane track at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium prior to the 2007 season. In December a Mondo-surfaced, six-lane 200-meter track will be installed in H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse. Dunham also inherits a deep and experienced track and field coaching staff that includes associate head coach Guy Mosher, a nationally recognized multi-events coach, as well as men’s and women’s cross country coach David Paulsen and several others.

“We are excited to have Joe Dunham join our staff,” athletics director Al Dorenkamp said. “Kevin Sanger did an outstanding job in establishing a solid program and a great tradition. Now Joe brings experience to our staff as a head coach and understands the challenges of recruiting as he competed against some very strong colleges and universities in Wisconsin during his years at St. Norbert.

“Joe and his family will fit in very well with our staff and community. He’s extremely anxious to get back into coaching track and field after a year in the business world. His heart and passion are in coaching track and field and helping develop young people.”

Central has won 10 Iowa Conference men’s track and field team championships since 1990, with four top-10 NCAA Division III team finishes. The Dutch have crowned 11Division III men’s and women’s individual national champions in that span.

The Central men’s and women’s squads each placed second at the Iowa Conference outdoor meet last spring. The Dutch women were 19th in the Division III power rankings while the men were 20th. Central’s men tied for 17th at the NCAA meet in Oshkosh, Wis., the 11th top-25 finish in the men’s program history. The Central women have had nine top-25 national team finishes, winning the 1982 NCAA title.

Dunham will move to Pella in early September.

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