THE APARTMENTS – By entering his 46^th year with Georgia Tech’s athletics program and 32^and as head coach of the men’s team, Grover Hinsdale announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.

“Being a part of the men’s track and field program and the Georgia Tech Athletic Association for the past 45 years has been one of the greatest honors and blessings of my life,” Hinsdale said. “I have so many people to thank for making this possible, starting with the support and love of my wonderful wife and family. My eternal gratitude goes to Buddy Fowlkes for taking a chance on a young, up-and-coming coach right out of college in 1979. To all the wonderful and talented coaches who have been with us and are with us now. To the seven athletic directors, including our current AD. J Battwho have allowed me to start, continue and finish my entire professional coaching career at this incredible institute. I appreciate and thank you all. All the team members who were here before I arrived and who supported me so much. A very special thank you to the hundreds of young men who have pledged their destiny to this brotherhood and given me the honor of being their coach. It is you who have kept me here all these years and loved me every day. You will be my most important men forever and ever.”

“From his beginnings as an assistant coach to developing Olympic medalists, national champions and conference winners as the program’s head coach for 32 years, Grover Hinsdale has left an indelible mark on Georgia Tech,” Batt said. “Not only has he coached champions on the track, but he has coached countless men who have represented Tech with distinction in all walks of life as alumni. We could not be more appreciative of Coach Hinsdale’s contributions to Georgia Tech over the past five decades and look forward to honoring him and his legacy as he continues to put his heart and soul into coaching his team during this final year of his legendary career.”

The Yellow Jackets have finished in the top 10 at NCAA indoor and outdoor championships seven times during Hinsdale’s tenure. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2008 and has coached three Olympic gold medalists, 13 NCAA champions and 87 All-Americans. Twenty-five members of the men’s team have been inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame during his tenure.

Among the talented athletes who won gold is Derrick Adkinswho won Olympic gold in 1996 and was a two-time national champion and six-time All-American during his Tech career. A second Olympic medalist is Derek Millswho won gold as part of the 4×400 relay in Atlanta. He was a four-time national champion and 11-time All-American for the Jackets.

The third Olympic champion is Angelo Taylorwho won gold in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2000 Sydney Games, for which Hinsdale received the USATF Outstanding Coach Award. Taylor also won two NCAA titles during his career on the flats and was a four-time All-American.

Other top runners that Hinsdale has trained include Octavius ​​Terrythree-time national champion and nine-time All-American, and Jonas MotiejunasTwo-time national champion and five-time All-American and national champion Michael Johnson And Thomas Motiejunas.

Hinsdale joined Tech in September 1979 as an assistant track and field coach, a position he held for 13 years under legendary mentor Buddy Fowlkes. He was promoted to associate head coach in 1992 and named head coach the following year.

Hinsdale, a former decathlete at Ferris State, spent his first 14 years at Tech in field sports.

The best players under Hinsdale include Rich Thompsonthree-time All-American in the triple jump; Mark White, an All-American discus thrower who won two ACC discus championships and was the 1990 ACC shot put champion. Other top athletes include Eric Bowers, the 1995 and 1996 ACC champion and current ACC long jump record holder; along with Joe McDonaldwho broke the school record in the decathlon for the third time in a row in 1992 and became ACC indoor long jump champion in 1991.

A native of Sand Creek, Michigan, Hinsdale was a four-year track and field athlete at Ferris State. He graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and humanities. He later received his Masters in physical education from Eastern Kentucky University in 1979. On September 19, 2003, Hinsdale was inducted into the Ferris State Hall of Fame.

Hinsdale previously worked as an assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky in 1978-79 and as an assistant coach at Ferris State in 1976-78 before coming to Tech. He is a member of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Hinsdale and his wife Laura have two sons, Bobby and Luke, and a daughter, Kelsey. Bobby and his wife Abby have a son, Finn.

Alexander Tharpe Fund

The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech Athletics and provides scholarships, operational and facility support for Tech’s 400+ student-athletes. Be part of the development of Yellow Jackets as they succeed academically at the Institute and compete for championships at the highest level in collegiate sports by supporting the Annual Sports Scholarship Fundwhich directly provides scholarships to Georgia Tech student-athletes. For more information on supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.

For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on X (@GTAthletics), on facebook., Instagram or visit us at ramblinwreck.com.