INDIANAPOLIS—After more than a quarter century of hard work and dedication to the UIndy Athletics, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Scott Fangman announced his retirement, effective Sept. 30. The program's leader since the 1996-97 academic year, Fangman steps aside after a successful tenure at the helm.

Fangman will be succeeded by UIndy alumnus Brad Robinson, the Greyhounds' current Cross Country Head Coach, who will lead as Interim Director of Track and Cross Country for the 2023-24 campaign.

"UIndy Track and Field and Coach Fangman have been synonymous for years, "said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Greg Shaheen. "Our success reflects Scott's extraordinary ability to recognize potential in thousands of men and women who have grown under his tutelage. UIndy is a better institution and program for this leadership. He will always have a home here."

Fangman retires after guiding the Greyhounds' consistent success on both the conference level and the national stage. He led the Hounds to a total of 142 All-American performances, nine individual national championships and 22 conference crowns.

"I don't think I have ever been around a coach that is more loved by or more loving towards his athletes," shared Robinson of his mentor. "The care that he has for the sport and his student-athletes is deep and genuine.

"On behalf of myself, the rest of the staff, the student-athletes and alumni, I want to thank him for all he has giving to us, both individually and collectively. The impact he has made on UIndy Track & Field is immeasurable."

The Greyhounds enjoyed particular success recently, especially on the women's side. Driven by the talented duo of Lauren Bailey and Bernice Cleyet-Merle, UIndy placed seventh at both the 2021 and 2022 NCAA DII Indoor Championships, setting a program record for highest finish at nationals.
 
The 2022 USTFCCCA DII Women's Track Athlete of the Year, Cleyet-Merle captured indoor individual titles in the 800 (2021) and the mile (2022), while Bailey secured the 2021 championship in the 5K.
 
Other national champions under Fangman's tutelage included Tatiana Zhuravleva (2014 discus), Ryan Smith (2013 indoor shot put), Andrea Horban (2006 indoor shot put), Dameion Smith (2004 hammer throw) and Andy Richardson (1998 outdoor shot put, 1997 indoor shot put).

"Little can I tell you about championships," reminisced Fangman. "I can only tell you about moments. Personal moments with people. And that's what really kept me in coaching was the connections with people.

"This job has been fun from the very beginning, but it was the personal moments that really made it special for me."

Fangman's GLVC Track & Field accolades are among the most numerous in the history of the conference. Counting both men's and women's teams and indoor and outdoor seasons, UIndy captured 22 conference championships since Fangman took over in 1996-97, while the man himself was named the GLVC Coach of the Year 14 times since 2010. Furthermore, 33 Greyhounds were named the GLVC Athlete of the Year, while 10 were dubbed the league's top freshman.

Fangman came to UIndy in 1997 after 14 seasons as head track coach at local Southport High School. His teams were ranked in the state for 12 consecutive years, finishing in the top 10 at the state meet five times. Fangman coached five individual state champions and three state runners-up. Fangman's Southport teams posted an overall record of 490-152, winning two Marion County titles and a pair of sectional championships.

Plans for various opportunities to recognize and thank Coach Fangman for his time at UIndy are being planned and will be announced at a later date.

Concluded Robinson: "We're absolutely sad to see him go, but we're happy for him in his decision and for the opportunities ahead of him. We all hope to carry on his legacy and make him proud."