Cuyamaca College Men's Track

Thiss' coaching career began as a throwing coach at several of the local community colleges. He developed a State and National Champion and at the same time, he was sought after by national level athletes hoping to attain Olympic status. During his time in the S.D.S.U. graduate program in Exercise Science, he was hired by Cuyamaca College in an effort to strengthen their staff. He was hired as the Head Coach for the following season and given the opportunity to revive a great history of Community College track in the East County. His first few seasons were marked by great individuals and as the overall team depth improved, so did the teams ability to win conference titles. Coach Thiss is expecting a great season with returning veterans and a freshman class that has some of the counties best high school athletes. The goal of Cuyamaca's program is to train individuals in an environment where the transition to a four-year program is smooth and student-athletes are considered to be outstanding in sport and the classroom. Coach Thiss was hired as a full-time head coach in the spring of 1998 and is dedicated to the development of an elite-level community college team that will challenge traditional powers for the state title. Coach Thiss is a San Diego native and graduate of Kearny High School, but failed to stand out as a track athlete until his years at San Diego Mesa College. His development as a hammer thrower yielded him a state championship ('87) and a scholarship to San Diego State University where he qualified for the National Championships in both of his seasons ('89-'90). From here he was a qualifier for the U.S. Outdoor National Championships ('90,'91), the Olympic Trials ('92), and U.S. Indoor National Championships ('92, '94) as a 35# weight thrower. He later continued his interest in athletic competition by completing a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education/Sport Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Education/Sports Management and Leadership. Coach Thiss can be reached at his office, or by clicking on his e-mail link.  E-mail: