Aug. 10, 2009
NORMAL, Ill -
Illinois State men's and women's track and field head coach Elvis Forde added a new face to his coaching staff Monday with the hiring of Erik Whitsitt as assistant coach and throws coach. Whitsitt brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to Illinois State.
"One of the things that attracted us to Erik was that he is young and has done an outstanding job at McNeese State over the past two years recruiting kids not only from the U.S., but internationally as well," said Forde. "He was able to recruit some of the top-25 throwers in the U.S. Having the international connection helps tremendously. He also had success as an individual and we feel that those things are going to help us. He was a great fit for our staff and for the returning and new student-athletes. He will help our student-athletes continue to grow and achieve high levels. He brings a lot to the table."
Most recently, Whitsitt was throws coach for NCAA Division I member McNeese State, where he also served as the team's academic liaison and recruiting coordinator. Prior to his experience at McNeese State, Whitsitt was a volunteer coach for two USA Track and Field summer league teams.
Before coaching, Whitsitt was a successful college student-athlete at Boise State. Whitsitt was a four-time regional outdoor qualifier in the shot put. He also qualified for the 2007 NCAA Division I National Championships and the 2007 Outdoor United States Track and Field Championships. Whitsitt's success did not end there. He also qualified for the 2008 Olympic trials with a "B" standard in the shot put.
He also won two conference individual championships in the shot put and was a member of four conference championship teams.
Whitsitt looks forward to his time at Illinois State and is honored to have this opportunity.
"I am definitely excited to come to a class program like Illinois State," said Whitsitt. "I'm excited to work with the throwers and the facilities. I am also looking forward to working with the coaching staff."
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