The University of Colorado Colorado Springs track and field programs made a new addition to their coaching staff with Luke Vaughn joining the team as their Assistant Track and Field Throws Coach, as announced today by Head Coach Ross Fellows.

"Luke is a proven winner at the highest level," said Fellows. "Not only is he an excellent coach, but he is resourceful and understands every throwing event. He will be an outstanding recruiter for our throws crew."

Vaughn was a track and field student-athlete at the University of Memphis where he competed in discus and shot put for the Tigers. As the school record holder in indoor/outdoor shot put (18.89m) and discus (63.13m), Vaughn earned numerous awards as a student-athlete. He is a three-time NCAA All-Academic Honoree, three-time NCAA All-American, and 19 time all-conference. During his senior season in 2018, he added to his achievements by becoming the NCAA DI National Champion in discus all while earning awards such as NCAA Field-Scholar-Athlete of the Year, American Athletic Conference "Most Valuable Performer," and the Zach Curlin Award. Vaughn also earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and graduate degree in Teaching, with a concentration in Physical Education, from the University of Memphis.

"I am so grateful for this awesome opportunity to coach," mentioned Vaughn. "Coaching is a passion of mine, and I can't wait to get started. I have heard wonderful things about the university, the student-athletes, and the UCCS track & field program. I have also had the pleasure to get to know Ross Fellows and Dillon Schrodt over the last two months and am overjoyed to be able to coach with them. I could not ask for a better coaching staff. A huge thank you to Head Coach Ross Fellows for choosing me for this position. I will do my best to coach my student-athletes to improve athletically, academically and personally."

The UCCS track and field programs added Vaughn after former UCCS Throws Coach Chase Beideck was presented with a great opportunity to coach at the University of Nebraska.

"I feel blessed to have been a part of this tremendous University and feel honored to have served as a track and field coach to a wonderful group of student athletes," said Biedeck. "I leave knowing the future of UCCS Track and Field is in good hands, and am thankful for Coach Fellows to have given me the opportunity to coach here. Although my time here was short, I will always be a Mountain Lion."

The UCCS men's and women's track and field teams begin their indoor season on Dec. 6 as they compete in the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Classic and Multi.