Phil Bastron named new assistant track and field coach
8/20/2013 3:48:00 PM | Track and Field, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State track and field program has named Phil Bastron as its new assistant coach. Bastron, who spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Division III Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., will primarily work with student-athletes in the vertical jumps and combined events.
"Phil's very excited to join a Division I program," said Bill Lawson, Kent State's director of track and field and cross country. "He brings national experience as both a coach and a competitor, and knows what it takes to be at a championship level. Phil also brings great organizational skills and will be a good recruiter for us. We're thrilled to have Phil join our coaching staff."
Bastron, a native of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., coached the sprinters and jumpers at Carthage College. Under his tutelage, high jumper Trevor James won the outdoor national championship in 2012 and was indoor national runner-up in 2013.
Prior to arriving at Carthage College, Bastron spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Division I and Big Ten power Minnesota. Bastron coached sprinters and jumpers during his time with the Golden Gophers.
"I was really impressed with the passion Coach Lawson has for this sport," Bastron said of what attracted him to Kent State. "This is a great place to grow as a professional and gain experience with a championship-caliber program."
It's possible Bastron was destined to be at Kent State. Carthage College was originally based in Carthage, Illinois before moving to its current location in Kenosha. Carthage, Illinois is Lawson's hometown.
Bastron also brings championship pedigree from his days as a student-athlete at the University of St. Thomas (Minn.). His three All-American honors included winning a national title as a member of the 4x400 relay in 2009.Â
Bastron, who excelled in the classroom as a CoSIDA Academic All-American, earned his bachelor's degree in international economics and added a master's degree in public policy from Minnesota in 2011.Â
