Indiana University has named its new cross country course for Sam Bell. Bell coached cross country and track and field at IU for 28 years, served as the U.S. Olympic men’s distance coach in 1976 and was coach of the year in the Big Ten six times. His teams won 26 Big Ten championships and he coached individuals who won 20 NCAA championships, including four in cross country.
??? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? • ’70-’98 #IUXCTF Head Coach • 6x B1G Coach of the Year • 26 B1G Championships pic.twitter.com/icoKztJCS6 — IU Track & Field (@IndianaXCTF) June 16, 2020
"Sam was a legend in his profession and an extraordinary teacher and mentor to hundreds of students and colleagues during his 29 years at Indiana University," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass in a news release "His impact on his students extended well beyond their time in Bloomington, and his impact on Indiana University extended well beyond his coaching tenure. He is very deserving of this recognition and honor."
The Sam Bell Cross Country Course winds through 40 acres close to the previous cross country course, which had to be moved because of construction of the IU Health Bloomington Regional Academic Health Center.
Bell was a member of the U.S. Track Coaches and National Track and Field Coaches Halls of Fame. He died in 2016 at the age of 88.
