Jim Spivey Head Women's Cross Country Coach 2nd Year | Indiana   Lori Shepard Director of Cross Country/Track & Field

Jim Spivey begins his first season as head coach of the women’s cross-country team and second year with the team after serving as assistant coach for the 2001 season. Spivey is also an assistant track and field coach.

Spivey comes to Vanderbilt from the University of Chicago where he was the men’s and women’s head coach for cross country as well as track and field. The 1998 Midwest Regional Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year produced 12 All-Americans in his four years in Chicago. Also, he led the women’s teams to a sixth-place finish at both the 1998 Division III Cross Country Championships and the 2000 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

As a competitor, Spivey appeared in three Olympic Games: 1984, 1992 and 1996. Spivey also was a member of five World Championship Teams. His best year was 1987, when he won a bronze medal at the World Championships and a silver medal at the Pan-American Games. For his various achievements, Spivey has been inducted in three Hall of Fames: the Drake Relay’s, Indiana Univesity’s and Fenton High School’s.

Currently, Spivey is the U.S. record holder in the 2000-meters with a time of 4:52.44 set in Switzerland in 1987. While at Indiana University, Spivey won an incredible 13 Big Ten titles as well as capturing two individual NCAA Championships. He also holds the fastest American time in the 1500-meters at the Olympics. Among American runners, Spivey’s times in the 1500 and mile rank second and fourth respectively all-time.

In his first season with the Commodores, Spivey has already helped make major strides in the program. With his help the cross country team had their best finish ever at the NCAA Regionals this past fall.

“Coach Spivey’s addition to our coaching staff has brought immediate success as seen by the cross country team’s strong performance this fall. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with him about training and competing at the highest levels in high school, college, and internationally.”- Coach Shepard