Mike Turk

Mike Turk, U of Illinois, :
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – USA Track & Field has named Fighting Illini Men’s Track & Field Head Coach Mike Turk to the Team USA coaching staff for the 2016 IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydogszcz, Poland July 19-24. Turk will serve as an assistant coach, primarily overseeing the men’s throwing events.
“I am excited to represent the United States of America in international competition. It’s an honor to be a part of the Team USA staff, along with many outstanding coaches whom I respect a great deal. I look forward to serving the athletes to the best of my ability, with the goal of aiding them in their pursuit to get on the podium!”
Although this is Turk’s first selection to a USA team, he has had extensive experience in international competition as the personal coach of Fighting Illini women’s track & field alumnus Gia Lewis-Smallwood. Lewis-Smallwood is the current American record holder and reigning three-time U.S. Champion in the discus. Turk has guided Lewis-Smallwood to berths on three Team USA world championship teams (Daegu, South Korea 2011, Moscow, Russia 2013 and Beijing, China 2015), the 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2015 PanAm Games where she was a bronze medalist.
After serving as an assistant coach for four seasons, Turk was named head coach of the Fighting Illini in 2010. Since taking the reigns, Turk has guided Illini athletes to a combined four NCAA titles, 39 All-American finishes and 29 Big Ten titles.
Last year, Turk led the Fighting Illini to an historic season, highlighted by the program’s first Big Ten title since 1994 and their first top-10 finish at NCAA Championships since 1988. At the end of the season, Turk was named Big Ten Coach of the Year and USTFCCCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year.
Orin Richburg will serve as the men’s head coach for Team USA. Turk will be joined by fellow assistants David Kerin and John McNichols, and head manager Ken Brauman on Coach Richburg’s staff. The women’s staff includes head coach Lisa Morgan, assistants Ester Gabriel, Richie Mercado and Pam Marquez, and head manager Francesca Green.