Taylor-Belin joins Commodore Track & Field Staff; Former SMU Assistant To Aid Women’s Program 7/15/02

Nashville, Tenn. - Yolanda Taylor-Belin, a former assistant track and field coach at Southern Methodist University, is the newest member of the Vanderbilt women’s track and field program.

Taylor-Belin, 34, will coach the sprints and jumps for the Commodore track and field squad, similar to her responsbilities during a five-year tenure at SMU.

Taylor-Belin was a three-time All-American jumper at Texas A&M, earning a berth in the 1992 Olympic Trials. She was honored with All-American status in 1987, 1989 and 1991, and participated in the 1991 U.S. Olympic Festival. She also excelled in the classroom, becoming a four-time GTE Academic All-American. Taylor-Belin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education from Texas A&M and later received a masters degree in Kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin University.

Taylor-Belin began her collegiate coaching career at Stephen F. Austin, serving as an assistant for the 1995-96 season. She also served as head coach at Texas A&M Consolidated High School for one year before joining the SMU staff in 1997.

A graduate of Lewisville (Texas) High School, Taylor-Belin is married to Vanderbilt assistant football coach Warren Belin. They are the parents of a four-month-old daughter, Camryn.

Vanderbilt also announced new alignments in the track and field and cross country programs. In addition to Taylor-Belin’s role, the men’s cross country program will be combined with women’s cross country and track and field. Head coach Lori Shepard becomes Director of Cross Country/Track & Field while Jim Spivey becomes Head Women’s Cross Country Coach and an assistant in women’s track. Fran Hoogestraat remains an assistant women’s track & field coach. Don Bailey will continue his role as head coach of the men’s cross country team.