Meet Head Coach Ken Klatka
Ken Klatka, an associate professor of physical education
at Springfield College, will enter his 36th season as head
coach, and 40th as a coach overall, of the men’s track and field program in 2010-2011. He ranks
among the nation’s most successful coaches, with an
overall record of 433 wins, 141 losses, and two ties for
an impressive .753 winning percentage.Klatka’s teams are among the best in the region. During the 2010-2011indoor season, Klatka's squad finished seventh in the ECAC Division III Indoor Championships.
The Pride had a solid outdoor campaign as Springfield placed second in the NEWMAC's, sixth in the New England Division III's, and sixth in the ECAC Division III's.
Under Klatka's direction, Kevin Coyle '12 vaulted to the National Championship in the indoor long jump. Coyle also earned All-American Honors in both the outdoor triple jump and outdoor long jump. He was named the USTFCCCA Division III National Field Athlete of the Year for his accomplishments.
Klatka is part of a long line of Pride coaches who have shared their expertise internationally. In 1978 and ’82, he traveled to Aruba and spent a month conducting clinics and lecturing student-athletes. He has conducted numerous clinics in the Northeast, including several at Springfield College.
Klatka has been the meet director for countless Western Massachusetts high school track and field and cross country championships, and has served as the state director of the U.S. Track and Field Federation. He was the field coordinator for the 1990 Massachusetts Special Olympics and has been the track coordinator for the Massachusetts Senior Games, held annually at Springfield College.
Klatka, a 1969 Springfield College graduate, was captain of the cross country team, where he set a number of school and course records. He earned his master’s degree from Springfield College in 1970. After graduation, he coached the College’s men’s cross country team for seven seasons.
Klatka was a standout runner at Memorial High in Manchester, N.H., establishing state records in the mile and two-mile runs while winning four state titles. In 1994, he was among the charter members enshrined in that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He was inducted in the city of Manchester's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
Team Links
- 2011-2012 Schedule
- 2011-2012 Roster
- USTFCCA National Rankings
- Recruiting Brochure (.pdf)
- Recruit Me!
- Team Archive
Head Coach Ken Klatka
Ken Klatka, enters his 36th season as head coach of the men’s track and field program in 2010-2011. He ranks among the nation’s most successful coaches, with an overall record of 433 wins, 141 losses, and two ties for an impressive .753 winning percentage. Under his direction, Kevin Coyle '12 won the 2011 Division III Indoor Long Jump National Championship.
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