Rock Hill, S.C. – After 32 years, head cross country/track & field coach
Ben Paxton officially announced his retirement effective Jan. 20.
"It is always bittersweet to leave a place that you have given your all to for 32 years," said Paxton. "With upcoming changes in NCAA Legislature and multiple administration changes, the time was right for me to step away."
Paxton took the reins of both the Winthrop men's and women's cross country programs beginning on Jan. 20, 1993. He started the first outdoor track program in 1996 and kicked off the indoor track program two years later in 1998.
Under Paxton's watch,
121 individual athletes captured both Big South track and cross country titles and had over
420 athletes named Big South All-Conference selections. Paxton also guided the Eagles to two Big South team titles in cross country in 2000 and 2001.
Paxton was named the Big South Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2001 after back-to-back men's cross country titles for the Eagles. He was also named the outdoor track coach of the year in 1999 and 2004 and indoor track coach of the year in 2000.
He also oversaw incredible success nationally as
46 athletes in the Garnet and Gold advanced to the NCAA Regional Qualifiers in cross country and both indoor and outdoor track. There were 10 of them that advanced to the NCAA Championships, with nine Top 20 finishes, four Top 10 finishes to go along with five All-American selections on the biggest stage in the sport.
Highly respected in the cross country and track and field community, Paxton is a past member of the NCAA Track & Field Committee where he served in two separate stints. He first served from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2013 to 2018.
"I will continue to be involved in NCAA Championships and help pushing the greatest sport I know", Paxton said.
Jeremy Chavis has been named the Interim Head & Track Field Coach.
Thoughts from Jeremy Chavis, Interim Head Track & Field Coach as well as former sprinter for the Eagles
"Coach Paxton has truly given his all to this program and university over the past 32 years and we wish him all the best with his retirement. Learning from him has been unforgettable and I am so excited to use what he has taught me to lead this program into the future. Though his time here has come to an end, Coach Paxton will always be a part of Winthrop Cross Country and Track and Field"
Thoughts from Brett Best, Assistant Track & Field/Throws Coach who has been with Paxton for 22 seasons.
"Ben has spent the last 30 years putting in the foundations of a strong track and cross country program. He has given his heart and soul to this program and this institution and has weathered the trails and tribulations and the ups and downs associated with Division I athletics. His strong presence will be missed on the track."
