Elliot promoted to Purdue head coach

Elliot promoted to Purdue head coach
Norbert Elliott.

Another Bahamian track and field coach is moving up the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ladder.

Several days ago, Purdue University promoted Norbert Elliott to lead its track and field and cross-country programs.

“I am truly honored to be named the head track & field/cross country coach at Purdue University,” Elliott said in a school statement.

“I would like to thank (athletic director) Mike Bobinski and (associate AD) Calvin Williams for having the confidence in me to lead one of the best track and field programs in the country.

“We will continue to build on all our successes. I am excited and can’t wait to hit the ground running in this new adventure.”

Over the past six seasons, Elliot has worked as the assistant coach of Purdue’s program. He led the women’s team that finished eighth overall at this year’s NCAA Outdoor Championships and also won the 2018 Big Ten outdoor title.

“Coach Elliott has a history of developing talent and is a proven leader,” said associate athletics director Calvin Williams, who oversees the track & field program.

“I have every confidence he will continue the momentum he has helped establish at Purdue over the last six years.”

Elliott previously served as head track and field and cross-country coach at Campbell University in 2011-12. He was head coach of The Bahamas team at the 2001 World Championships and coached sprinter Debbie Ferguson at the 2000 Olympics. In all, Elliott has coached more than 50 All-Americans and eight individual NCAA champions.

About Randy Smith

Randy Smith is the producer of the widely-watched local television show “Beyond The Headlines” and the web content manager of Eyewitness News. He joined Eyewitness News as a sportscaster in 2018, a role he still performs, and has previously covered a slew of international sporting events, including the 2015 Pan American Games, the Nike EYBL Showcase, several IAAF World Relays, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Bahamas Bowl and multiple CARIFTA Swimming and Track & Field Championships. Randy has been recognized by the Bahamas Press Club with awards for “Best Sports Broadcast” as a sportscaster and “Best TV Talk Show” as a producer.