Eastern Michigan Athletics
Arthur Ignaczak Named Women's Track and Field Assistant Coach
8/17/2017 5:27:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
'Iggy' comes to EMU after a stint as Central Arkansas' Assistant Coach
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's track and field team added a new addition to its coaching staff in the form of Arthur Ignaczak, Head Coach Sue Parks announced Thursday, Aug. 17. Ignaczak, more commonly know as 'Iggy', will serve as an assistant coach after holding the same title at the University of Central Arkansas for the past three years. Ignaczak, who will begin his new role Friday, Aug. 18, will oversee jumps, combined events, and throws.
"This is a great hire for our program," said Parks. "I've watched what Iggy has done from afar for a number of years and I've been impressed with his knowledge and passion for the sport. During the interview process, I could tell that he possessed the drive and competitiveness to help us elevate our field area to the next level. He's going to be a great fit for our staff and student-athletes."
Ignaczak brings seven years of collegiate coaching experience, including stops at Central Arkansas and Saint Francis University. Since beginning his career at Central Arkansas in 2014, Ignaczak has been responsible for 29 school-record performances, as well as the university's first-ever NCAA Division I national championships qualifier. Overall, Ignaczak has coached seven NCAA Divsion I preliminary qualifiers, one NCAA indoor and outdoor national qualifier, two NCAA Second Team All-Americans, and one United States Track and Field (USATF) national and junior national qualifier.
Prior to Central Arkansas, Ignaczak was a sprints, hurdles, and jumps coach for the Jersey Shore Elite Track Club. During this time, he also engaged in the early stages of partnering with a number of close colleagues in developing a mentorship program for student-athletes, as well as coaching privately under his label, Dream Performance Training. Additionally, the Toms River, N.J., native oversaw speed training at the All-Star Sports Academy in his hometown.
Before Jersey Shore Elite, Ignaczak spent two years at Saint Francis University (Pa.) as the multi and jumps coach. While at SFU, Iggy also served as the sprints, hurdles, and relay coach. In his role, Iggy coached several all–conference performers, added over a dozen names to the university's top-10 performance lists, and set two school records. Ignaczak also assisted the Lady Red Flash in earning a runner-up finish in the Northeast Conference in 2013, resulting in Women's Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
Prior to entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Iggy joined his junior high school coach at Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River, N.J., with an emphasis on sprints, hurdles, and jumping events. While at Mon Don, he coached numerous athletes to New Jersey state group, sectional, and all-state honors, including a national qualifier. Throughout this period, Ignaczak continued training and competing post collegiately for one year, representing Shore A.C. in hurdle events at venues such as the Penn Relays, USATF State Championships, and minor International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) meetings.
Ignaczak has received multiple USATF certifications including: Level I, II and III Jumps and Combined Events as well as his IAAF Level V Jumps and Combined Events. On top of his USATF and IAAF certifications, Iggy also holds United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Strength and Conditioning, Testing and Measurements, and Weight Training certifications for track and field.
Iggy graduated from Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md., obtaining a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and sociology. He was a recruited varsity track and field athlete for the Mountaineers and represented The Mount in every championship hurdle final but one throughout his time in the Northeastern Conference, still holding a spot on the university's top-10 performance list. He then went on to receive his master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Saint Francis University (Pa.) in 2013.
"This is a great hire for our program," said Parks. "I've watched what Iggy has done from afar for a number of years and I've been impressed with his knowledge and passion for the sport. During the interview process, I could tell that he possessed the drive and competitiveness to help us elevate our field area to the next level. He's going to be a great fit for our staff and student-athletes."
Ignaczak brings seven years of collegiate coaching experience, including stops at Central Arkansas and Saint Francis University. Since beginning his career at Central Arkansas in 2014, Ignaczak has been responsible for 29 school-record performances, as well as the university's first-ever NCAA Division I national championships qualifier. Overall, Ignaczak has coached seven NCAA Divsion I preliminary qualifiers, one NCAA indoor and outdoor national qualifier, two NCAA Second Team All-Americans, and one United States Track and Field (USATF) national and junior national qualifier.
Prior to Central Arkansas, Ignaczak was a sprints, hurdles, and jumps coach for the Jersey Shore Elite Track Club. During this time, he also engaged in the early stages of partnering with a number of close colleagues in developing a mentorship program for student-athletes, as well as coaching privately under his label, Dream Performance Training. Additionally, the Toms River, N.J., native oversaw speed training at the All-Star Sports Academy in his hometown.
Before Jersey Shore Elite, Ignaczak spent two years at Saint Francis University (Pa.) as the multi and jumps coach. While at SFU, Iggy also served as the sprints, hurdles, and relay coach. In his role, Iggy coached several all–conference performers, added over a dozen names to the university's top-10 performance lists, and set two school records. Ignaczak also assisted the Lady Red Flash in earning a runner-up finish in the Northeast Conference in 2013, resulting in Women's Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
Prior to entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Iggy joined his junior high school coach at Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River, N.J., with an emphasis on sprints, hurdles, and jumping events. While at Mon Don, he coached numerous athletes to New Jersey state group, sectional, and all-state honors, including a national qualifier. Throughout this period, Ignaczak continued training and competing post collegiately for one year, representing Shore A.C. in hurdle events at venues such as the Penn Relays, USATF State Championships, and minor International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) meetings.
Ignaczak has received multiple USATF certifications including: Level I, II and III Jumps and Combined Events as well as his IAAF Level V Jumps and Combined Events. On top of his USATF and IAAF certifications, Iggy also holds United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Strength and Conditioning, Testing and Measurements, and Weight Training certifications for track and field.
Iggy graduated from Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md., obtaining a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and sociology. He was a recruited varsity track and field athlete for the Mountaineers and represented The Mount in every championship hurdle final but one throughout his time in the Northeastern Conference, still holding a spot on the university's top-10 performance list. He then went on to receive his master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Saint Francis University (Pa.) in 2013.
The Arthur 'Iggy' Ignaczak File
| Name: | Arthur 'Iggy' Ignaczak |
| Hometown: | Toms River, N.J. |
| College: | Mount Saint Mary - bachelor's degree in criminal justice and sociology - 2010 Saint Francis University - master's of education, educational leadership and administration - 2013 |
Professional Experience
| Year | School/Company | Position |
| 2017-Present | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Track & Field Coach |
| 2014-17 | University of Central Arkansas | Assistant Track & Field Coach |
| 2013-14 | Jersey Shore Elite Track | Assistant Track & Field Coach |
| 2013 | All-Star Track & Field Clinic | Assistant Track & Field Coach |
| 2011-13 | Saint Francis University | Assistant Track & Field Coach |
| 2010-13 | All-Star Sports Academy | Speed, Strength & Conditioning, and Agility Coach |
| 2010-11 | Monsignor Donovan HS | Assistant Track & Field Coach |
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