July 10, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Lissa Olson, former assistant men's and women's track and field coach, has been named head coach of track and field at Purdue University. The newly created position oversees the operations of men's and women's track and field and cross country programs.
Olson served in her former position for three years, working with the jumpers, sprinters and hurdlers, as well as serving as the program's recruiting coordinator. In 2001, she coached sophomore Shaun Guice to NCAA All-America honors and freshman Daniel Harris to USA Junior All-America status. In addition, Guice was NCAA runner-up in the high jump.
In 2000, Olson guided Ike Olekaibe and Guice to All-America honors, with both setting school records in the outdoor triple jump and indoor high jump along the way. Guice, the 2000 Big Ten Indoor Freshman of the Year, won the indoor and outdoor conference high jump titles. Fellow high jumper Ryan Fitzpatric finished runner-up behind Guice at both conference championships and qualified for NCAA's. In 1999, Olson coached triple jumpers Olekaibe and Mike Turner to All-America status at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Olson emerged as a leading candidate after the men's and women's track and field and cross country programs were combined in a reorganization in June.
"We are convinced that a unified program will take greatest advantage of the skills of our specialty coaches and ensure the long-term success of the program," Associate Athletics Director Roger Blalock said. "This provides a better opportunity for our student-athletes to have more one-on-one contact with coaches."
Olson reports to Blalock.
Olson joined the Boilermakers in 1998, after serving as the associate head coach of the Washington State men's and women's track and field and cross country programs. In that capacity, Olson coached jumps, assisted with sprints and hurdles, and worked in recruiting. Before her appointment with the Cougars, Olson served as recruiting coordinator and coached men's and women's jumps, women's throws and the heptathlon at Washington from 1992 to 1994.
Olson, the wife of former Purdue quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, earned a B.A. in education and a master's in education/athletic administration from Washington State. She is currently working towards her doctorate in athletic administration from Purdue.
She succeeds former men's coach Mike Poehlein and women's coach Ben Paolillo.
Morgan Burke, director of intercollegiate athletics, praised the work of the former coaches.
"Mike and Ben are consummate professionals," Burke said. "We appreciate what our men's and women's coaches have done with their respective programs through the years."
Poehlein has been offered the position of head cross country coach for both men's and women's teams. Poehlein, who will begin his 29th season with the Boilermakers, began his career at Purdue in 1973 as a cross country coach. He was named the District IV Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1985, Big Ten Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1985 and was the NCAA Cross Country Coaches Association president in 1993 and 1995.
Paolillo has been offered reassignment within intercollegiate athletics administration and is currently considering that option.
Olson, who is on vacation until July 23, will consult with the remaining coaches about the other vacancies on the coaching staff upon her return.