GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Former Florida men’s track and field coach Jimmy Carnes was chosen as an inductee for the National Track and Field Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport. Carnes is a member of the Advisory Council and the Distinguished Alumni committee at HHP and has been a strong supporter of the college for many years.

Carnes coached at Florida from 1965-78 and led the team to 15 top-three finishes in the Southeastern Conference indoor and outdoor meets during his tenure. He founded the Florida Track Club and was elected National Chairman of AAU Men’s Track and Field in 1977. Carnes also served as executive director of the Florida Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

He served as assistant coach of the 1976 U.S. men’s Olympic track and field team. In 1980, Carnes was named head coach of the Olympic squad before the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

As the first president of The Athletics Congress/USA from 1980-84, Carnes had a national impact on track and field, moving the sport from amateur to open rules.

Carnes will be inducted into the hall of fame in a ceremony at the national convention of USA Track & Field in Reno, Nev. on Dec. 6.

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