Legendary former St. Augustine's track coach continuing to train Olympians
Posted August 6, 2021 6:14 p.m. EDT
Saint Augustine's University has sent over 40 athletes to the Summer Olympics for track and field since 1988.
George Williams, the legendary coach who got them there, is also a former United States Olympic track coach himself.
"When you coach 42 Olympians at a school the size of St. Augustine's University -- the people just don't know. I say, people see the glory but they don't know the story," said Williams.
Williams was named the Falcons' track coach in 1976.
"We've had an athlete on the Olympics [team] ever since '88," he said.
Williams didn’t take long to establish his dominance as a coach in the track and field world. He was named the United States track & field coach for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
"When a kid accomplishes his dreams, it is awesome," said Williams. "Words of expression are quite difficult. Only the heart can continue to speak."
Williams has 39 national crowns for his teams, 282 individual track & field titles and has amassed more than 150 track & field coach of the year honors.
Last year however, Williams was removed as coach at Saint Augustine’s after 44 years. But that hasn’t stopped Williams from continuing to impact the track & field community.
"I'm still on the Greater Raleigh Sport Alliance Committee. I’m on the North Carolina Hall of Fame Committee. I come over to Duke [University] and they let me train my Olympians over here. We’ve missed no beat. No grass is growing under my feet. I’m having a good time. I’m doing well, and I hope St. Augustine’s is doing well," he said.
The coronavirus pandemic kept Williams from making the trip to the Tokyo Olympics. It's the first one he's missed since 1988.
But even at 78 years old, Williams said there will be more Olympic Games in his future.
“I’d like to make a few more, and I think I’ll be able to make a few more," added Williams.
