Promotions Conferred To Track And Field’s Andy Sythe, LaTanya Sheffield
7/22/2019 12:31:00 PM | Track and Field
Sheffield, the former Associate Head Coach will become the first dedicated head coach of the Women’s Track and Field Program since 1986.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – In an effort to recognize two campus leaders as well as push the program to new heights, Long Beach State Athletics Director Andy Fee has announced that Andy Sythe will now serve as the Director of Track and Field at Long Beach State, while LaTanya Sheffield has been elevated to Head Coach of Women's Track and Field at the Beach.
"After another championship season, I felt the time was right to reward these two outstanding coaches," said Fee. "Andy has been a tremendous steward of the program for many years, and LaTanya is one of the nation's top assistant coaches. There is no one more deserving or ready for this additional responsibility."
In making Sheffield's appointment to Women's Track and Field Head Coach, Long Beach State will have one dedicated person in that role for the first time since 1986 when then men's coach Ralph Lindeman assumed both roles. The women's track and field program at the Beach was started in 1977.
Sythe just completed his 30th year as the combined head coach of both programs, and will now serve as the Director of Track and Field. Leading the Long Beach State men's track and field program to an eighth Big West Championship during his tenure, the Beach has now captured a men's or a women's championship in six of the last seven seasons.
Named Big West Coach of the Year nine times, Sythe will remain Head Coach of the Men's Track and Field program while Sheffield assumes her new duties. Individual event coaching responsibilities will remain the same for both coaches, as Sheffield will lead the development of sprints, hurdles and relays for both the men's and women's teams while Sythe will maintain his focus on working with the jumps events for both the men and the women.
"I care deeply about our women's program and I firmly believe that LaTanya has the unique qualities that set her apart from even the best of the best," said Sythe. "For Coach Sheffield, this change creates an opportunity to develop and get creative in new ways, and gives her something to put her name on and to call her own. I am excited to be sharing with her the mission to bring championships on a consistent basis to Long Beach State and we see endless possibilities for the future of both our women's and men's track and field programs."
Sheffield has led Long Beach State's sprints, relays and hurdles for both the men's and women's programs since her arrival on campus in 2013. Over those seven years, Long Beach State has claimed a conference championship six times, including the program's first-ever women's conference championship in 2018.
Sheffield also plays a major role on the national stage, including serving as an assistant coach leading the women's sprinters and relay teams at the 2016 Rio Olympics. At those Games, the USA won Gold in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, took five of six available medals in the hurdles including a podium sweep of the 100m hurdles. Her charges also captured three additional women's sprint medals.
In addition to her Olympic experience, Sheffield has served as an assistant coach for the women's sprinters on multiple occasions at the World Championships, and was in charge of the women's sprints, hurdles and relays at both the 2007 and 2011 Pan American Games.
"I'm humbled to have an opportunity to serve at the helm of Women's Track & Field for Beach Athletics," said Sheffield. "I'm motivated to maintain a culture of academic and athletic excellence. The challenge to lead the women to future championship team and individual titles is very invigorating and welcoming. I look forward to continuing to coach the men's sprints at the highest level. Together our team will maintain our motto for our opponents; 'Make 'em say your name!'"
As an athlete, Sheffield was an Olympic finalist in the 400m hurdles at the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea, and represented the United States at the 1987 World Championships. She was also a two-time gold medalist at the Olympic Sports Festival (1987, 1993) and won a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games.
Sheffield, who established an American record in the 400m hurdles in 1985, also excelled at San Diego State where she was a two-time All-American and 1985 NCAA Champion (400H). She was inducted into the SDSU Athletics' Hall of Fame in 1993.
"I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved here, but at Long Beach State, it is our goal to continue to strive for improvement," noted Sythe. "These changes will help us elevate our program and continue the long history of success at the Beach."
"After another championship season, I felt the time was right to reward these two outstanding coaches," said Fee. "Andy has been a tremendous steward of the program for many years, and LaTanya is one of the nation's top assistant coaches. There is no one more deserving or ready for this additional responsibility."
In making Sheffield's appointment to Women's Track and Field Head Coach, Long Beach State will have one dedicated person in that role for the first time since 1986 when then men's coach Ralph Lindeman assumed both roles. The women's track and field program at the Beach was started in 1977.
Sythe just completed his 30th year as the combined head coach of both programs, and will now serve as the Director of Track and Field. Leading the Long Beach State men's track and field program to an eighth Big West Championship during his tenure, the Beach has now captured a men's or a women's championship in six of the last seven seasons.
Named Big West Coach of the Year nine times, Sythe will remain Head Coach of the Men's Track and Field program while Sheffield assumes her new duties. Individual event coaching responsibilities will remain the same for both coaches, as Sheffield will lead the development of sprints, hurdles and relays for both the men's and women's teams while Sythe will maintain his focus on working with the jumps events for both the men and the women.
"I care deeply about our women's program and I firmly believe that LaTanya has the unique qualities that set her apart from even the best of the best," said Sythe. "For Coach Sheffield, this change creates an opportunity to develop and get creative in new ways, and gives her something to put her name on and to call her own. I am excited to be sharing with her the mission to bring championships on a consistent basis to Long Beach State and we see endless possibilities for the future of both our women's and men's track and field programs."
Sheffield has led Long Beach State's sprints, relays and hurdles for both the men's and women's programs since her arrival on campus in 2013. Over those seven years, Long Beach State has claimed a conference championship six times, including the program's first-ever women's conference championship in 2018.
Sheffield also plays a major role on the national stage, including serving as an assistant coach leading the women's sprinters and relay teams at the 2016 Rio Olympics. At those Games, the USA won Gold in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, took five of six available medals in the hurdles including a podium sweep of the 100m hurdles. Her charges also captured three additional women's sprint medals.
In addition to her Olympic experience, Sheffield has served as an assistant coach for the women's sprinters on multiple occasions at the World Championships, and was in charge of the women's sprints, hurdles and relays at both the 2007 and 2011 Pan American Games.
"I'm humbled to have an opportunity to serve at the helm of Women's Track & Field for Beach Athletics," said Sheffield. "I'm motivated to maintain a culture of academic and athletic excellence. The challenge to lead the women to future championship team and individual titles is very invigorating and welcoming. I look forward to continuing to coach the men's sprints at the highest level. Together our team will maintain our motto for our opponents; 'Make 'em say your name!'"
As an athlete, Sheffield was an Olympic finalist in the 400m hurdles at the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea, and represented the United States at the 1987 World Championships. She was also a two-time gold medalist at the Olympic Sports Festival (1987, 1993) and won a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games.
Sheffield, who established an American record in the 400m hurdles in 1985, also excelled at San Diego State where she was a two-time All-American and 1985 NCAA Champion (400H). She was inducted into the SDSU Athletics' Hall of Fame in 1993.
"I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved here, but at Long Beach State, it is our goal to continue to strive for improvement," noted Sythe. "These changes will help us elevate our program and continue the long history of success at the Beach."
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