Nov. 17, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State head track and field coach Elvis Forde completed his coaching staff by announcing the recent hiring of Jeff Chakouian as an assistant track and field coach for throws.
"I am excited to have a guy like Jeff on our staff," said Forde. "I think the energy Jeff brings to the program is going to be incredible. The thing that has impressed me the most, for a young coach, is the charisma he has and the knowledge he has about the events and how it will make a difference with our kids. I think his charisma will have a great impact on our recruiting ability as well. I think he is a young coach that will impress the kids because of his success in the sport and his knowledge to be a great teacher. We look forward to having a tremendous amount of success with him on our staff."
Chakouian joins the Illinois State track and field staff after amassing an impressive resume of national and international competitive experience. A native of Seekonk, Mass., Chakouian was a six-time all-American in the shot put while a member of the track and field team at Kentucky. He received his degree in education kinesiology and health promotions from Kentucky in May 2005, and was a five-time Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion, an eight-time all-SEC selection in the shot put and was a team captain for three seasons.
Chakouian has competed in numerous international competitions, finishing in 5th place at the Jr. World Championships (Santiago, Chile) in 2000, placing 1st at the Jr. Pan Am Games (Sante Fe, Argentina) in 2001, while being ranked no. 6 all-time on the Jr. World Shot Put List.
A product of Seekonk High School, Chakouian was a junior national champion in both the shot put and discus in 2001 as well as being elected team captain of the USA vs. Great Britain Junior World Tour. In 2006, Chakouian placed 5th at the USATF Outdoor Championships, as his throw at was the 17th farthest throw in the world for the year.
Chakouian is excited to be joining the ISU track staff and feels that the `Birds have a legitimate shot of competing for the title at the upcoming season's State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships.
"I think there's a lot of potential at Illinois State," said Chakouian. "I think it's a diamond in the rough, being in the state of Illinois, which is a great state for track and field. Coach Forde has done a good job of putting a good, quality team in place. The exciting thing is that all the different groups on the team are very competitive and we are very competitive in the Missouri Valley Conference. It's exciting that we can get in and could win a conference championship as soon as possible, we don't have to rebuild, we just have to add a few components."
Chakouian also has gained experience in the coaching ranks as a volunteer assistant coach at both Kentucky and Brown (Providence, R.I.). While at Kentucky (March 2006-October 06), Chakouian assisted the men's and women's track teams in technique sessions, developed workouts and assisted weight training. He helped coach one SEC Champion and four SEC All-Conference performers.
During his tenure at Brown (August 2005-March 2006), Chakouian assisted both track teams by helping develop training and workout sessions. He coached one Ivy League Champion and two Ivy League All-Conference athletes.
Chakouian, who replaces former ISU assistant Brent Chumbley, holds certification as a personal trainer by the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA). He has also contributed his time to the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Clinic the past two years as a guest speaker and clinician.
