Jim Helmer (coach)
Encyclopedia
Jim Helmer is the Head Cross Country & Men's Track Coach at Southwestern College
in Winfield, Kansas
. He has held the position since 1978 where he has achieved consistent success. Helmer was elected to the NAIA
Coach's Hall of Fame in 2001.
head coach Dave Smith concerning a chance that Helmer had to secure home-field advantage for the 2005 regional Cross Country meet.
This sense of sportsmanship and fair play has appeared to "rub off" on the teams he coaches. One day at practice in 2002, an alleged shoplifting youth ran in to the Cross Country team. While attempting to make his escape, the team scattered and chased him down, turning him in to local police.
in 1971 and coached for seven years. During this time, his teams won state championships in cross country in 1973 and 1974. The boys track teams won regional championships in 1977 and 1978 and the school won the first league track crown in school history.
cross country championships in 1978 and 1979, Helmer’s cross country runners have won 31 straight men’s KCAC fall cross country championships from 1980-2010. Friends University stopped the streak in 2011 under head coach Brad Petersonhttp://www.friendsathletics.com/article/704.php. He also coached the Men's Track & Field team to 29 consecutive conference crowns 1983-2011 after four straight second-place finishes.
Helmer’s work has produced a total of seven NAIA National Champions in men’s cross country and track. 81 of his athletes have earned NAIA All-American status a total of 188 times, and 440 separate athletes have earned All-Conference status during his tenure.
Coach's Hall of Fame in 2001. He has also been recognized 82 "Coach of the Year" awards at the conference, regional, adistrict, and area levels. While coach of the Moundbuilder men’s track and cross country program at Southwestern, Helmer been given the following coaching awards:
In addition to his accomplishments as a coach, Helmer is the past President of the NAIA Track Coach Association and NAIA Cross Country Coaches Association.
with his wife Deb. He earned his Bachelor's Degree
from Southwestern College
and a Master's Degree
from Wichita State University
. Two of his children have gone on to earn All-American status at the collegiate level.
Southwestern College Moundbuilders
Southwestern College athletic teams are known as the Moundbuilders . They participate in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.Men's Sports* Basketball...
in Winfield, Kansas
Winfield, Kansas
Winfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
. He has held the position since 1978 where he has achieved consistent success. Helmer was elected to the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
Coach's Hall of Fame in 2001.
Sportsmanship
Helmer is known not only for his ability to produce both athletic and academic all-Americans, Helmer is considered by peers to be a true fair-play sportsman. This sense of fair play is reflected in the statement by McPherson CollegeMcPherson College
McPherson College was chartered in 1887 by the leaders of the Church of the Brethren. The college provides a career-oriented liberal arts education...
head coach Dave Smith concerning a chance that Helmer had to secure home-field advantage for the 2005 regional Cross Country meet.
- "When I heard about the (NAIA region) realignment, I thought Jim (Helmer at Southwestern) would want to host the meet at his place. But, when Jim called he said he was already hosting his own meet and the KCAC meet, and he didn’t feel right about hosting three meets on his course."
This sense of sportsmanship and fair play has appeared to "rub off" on the teams he coaches. One day at practice in 2002, an alleged shoplifting youth ran in to the Cross Country team. While attempting to make his escape, the team scattered and chased him down, turning him in to local police.
Winfield High School
Helmer started his coaching career as the track and cross country coach at Winfield High School in Winfield, KansasWinfield, Kansas
Winfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
in 1971 and coached for seven years. During this time, his teams won state championships in cross country in 1973 and 1974. The boys track teams won regional championships in 1977 and 1978 and the school won the first league track crown in school history.
Southwestern College
In 1978 Helmer became the head Cross Country and Men's Track & Field Coach at his Alma Mater. After finishing third in the KCACKansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. It is commonly called "The Kansas Conference", and as the name implies, all members are located in Kansas...
cross country championships in 1978 and 1979, Helmer’s cross country runners have won 31 straight men’s KCAC fall cross country championships from 1980-2010. Friends University stopped the streak in 2011 under head coach Brad Petersonhttp://www.friendsathletics.com/article/704.php. He also coached the Men's Track & Field team to 29 consecutive conference crowns 1983-2011 after four straight second-place finishes.
Helmer’s work has produced a total of seven NAIA National Champions in men’s cross country and track. 81 of his athletes have earned NAIA All-American status a total of 188 times, and 440 separate athletes have earned All-Conference status during his tenure.
Coaching Awards
Helmer was placed in the Southwestern College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991 and was elected to the NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
Coach's Hall of Fame in 2001. He has also been recognized 82 "Coach of the Year" awards at the conference, regional, adistrict, and area levels. While coach of the Moundbuilder men’s track and cross country program at Southwestern, Helmer been given the following coaching awards:
- KCACKansas Collegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. It is commonly called "The Kansas Conference", and as the name implies, all members are located in Kansas...
Cross Country Coach of the Year 26 times - KCAC Men’s Track Coach of the Year 1983 through 2007
- NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
District 10 Cross Country Coach of the Year 1984-1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1993 - NAIA District 10 Track Coach of the Year 1983-1991, 1993, and 1994
- NAIA Area Three Track Coach of the Year 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987
- NAIA Area Three cross country in 1992 and 1993.
- NAIA Great Plains Region Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1994
- NAIA Region IV Coach of the Year in 2000,2005, and 2007
- NAIA Region IV Indoor Track Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2007
- NAIA Region IV Outdoor Track Coach of the Year in 2007
In addition to his accomplishments as a coach, Helmer is the past President of the NAIA Track Coach Association and NAIA Cross Country Coaches Association.
Personal life
Helmer resides in Winfield, KansasWinfield, Kansas
Winfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
with his wife Deb. He earned his Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Southwestern College
Southwestern College (Kansas)
Southwestern College is a four-year private college affiliated with the United Methodist Church located in Winfield, Kansas, United States. It was founded in 1885 and graduated its first class in 1889. In addition to its campus programs, it offers online programs.-Academics:The main campus is a...
and a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
. Two of his children have gone on to earn All-American status at the collegiate level.