June 20, 2018 / Heisler named head coach for cross country/track and field
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VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University has named Randy Heisler as the head coach for men’s and women’s Cross Country and Track and Field. Heisler comes to VU after more than 30 years of coaching experience at the NCAA Div. 1 level.
"Randy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our track program,” said Harry Meeks, VU athletic director. “He has vast knowledge of the state and surrounding states relating to recruiting cross country/track and field athletes. I feel he will fit well with VU's athletic programs and we look forward to his success.”
"I want to thank both President Johnson and Athletic Director Harry Meeks for their trust and the opportunity they have given me to be a member of the Vincennes University family. When I received the call about this position, I talked it over with my wife and decided it was a great opportunity for us to remain in Indiana and be near family. As a lifelong Indiana resident with family and friends from South Bend to Evansville and everywhere in between, I just couldn't pass this up. Vincennes University has had a long and strong history of championship finishes at the NJCAA as well as moving many student athletes along to the next level in their athletic careers. I look forward to building on that tradition and am proud to be a Trailblazer."
Heisler served as an assistant coach at Indiana University for 15 years under the direction of legendary Coach Sam Bell. Upon Bell’s retirement, Heisler was named head women's coach and three years later took over as director and head coach for both the men's and women's programs.
Under Heisler's direction the Hoosier women won three Big Ten Team titles and finished in the top 8 at the NCAA Championships four times. The men's team finished 4th at the NCAA Championships for their highest placing in more than 20 years. During Heisler’s stay in Bloomington, the Hoosiers won a total of 14 Big Ten Team titles and produced dozens of individual Big Ten Champions and NCAA All America honor winners. Heisler has also coached numerous national champions as well as United States Olympic Team members.
Heisler became the head coach for the women's Cross Country and Track and Field programs at Ball State University in 2007 and held that position until the fall of 2015. Heisler’s teams finished consistently in the top half of the MAC and produced numerous MAC individual Champions, as well as NCAA regional qualifiers.
Heisler is no stranger to high-level competition. He is the winner of three NCAA Div. ll national titles for the University of Indianapolis in the discus, setting a national record that stood for nearly three decades. He continued to compete after graduation, earning a berth on 13 United States international teams. These included earning medals at both two Pan American Games as well as The World University Games, two world championships, as well as competing in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Heisler’s athletic career included him being a finalist in four USA Olympic Trials competitions, one of only a handful of individuals to hold that distinction.
Heisler’s career has also included directing numerous MAC, Big Ten, and NCAA regional and national competitions, as well as helping to develop both cross country and track and field facilities at both Ball State and Indiana University.
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VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager
812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/newsroom