Fresno Pacific University Men's Track

Winter as head coach of the university's track & field and cross country programs. Winter, who served as interim head coach since March, brings a wealth of experience, a commitment to both athletic and academic success and a strong reputation throughout the Valley and the FPU campus community. "We are extremely excited to officially announce Ray Winter as the head coach of our cross country and track & field programs," said Schuemann. "After a national search, Ray stood out amongst an excellent pool of candidates for many reasons. Not only does Ray possess a strong expertise in track & field, but he genuinely understands who we are as an institution and our commitment to being excellent in all areas." "He has a passion for helping our student-athletes grow athletically, but is equally committed to their growth in the classroom and in serving their community. He also brings a strong Christian character and familiarity with FPU. He is a well-respected coach throughout the Valley, has a tremendous vision for what the FPU track & field and cross country programs can become and fully understands what it takes to compete at a high level as an NCAA Division II program. He also possesses a strong Christian character, is well-respected throughout the Valley and brings a familiarity with FPU as an alumni." During the interim, Winter displayed exemplary leadership on the track while implementing improved structures for academic success and community service. He led the team to the 2014 Pacific West Conference championship on the men's side and a second-place finish on the women's side. "Being given this opportunity to lead these two historic programs is the most humbling and exhilarating opportunity of my professional career," said Winter. "My vision for the track and cross country programs is to represent Jesus Christ and FPU with unmatched character and excellence in the community, classroom and playing field. These teams have consistently modeled such traits in past years, and it is an immense privilege to continue to build a culture of winning, family, and hard work." Winter began working as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the FPU track & field program in 2005. Throughout his tenure he has established himself as a proven recruiter with a knack for finding talent and building connections throughout the Valley. "FPU is a gift to the Central Valley, and I am eager to make its light shine through athletics at the next level," said Winter. "These programs have the full support of the university and the athletics administration, with which I hope to advance FPU as the university of choice for Valley student-athletes, making our presence felt at the PacWest and NCAA Division II levels. I am eager to work with alumni and the community to dream big together, win big together and do it in the right way." It was at FPU that Winter first began to develop his leadership skills, competing for the Sunbirds as a student-athlete on the cross country and track teams from 1994-1998 and serving as the team captain for both squads. He was also elected the university's student body president as a senior. Winter went on to spend seven years as a head high school cross country and track & field coach, coaching at both Dinuba High School and Caruthers High School, where he laid the foundation for future success at both programs. He has worked as a literature professor at both FPU and UC Merced, and holds a bachelor's degree in English from FPU ('98), a master's in literature from Fresno State ('06) and a PhD in literature from UC Merced ('10). Winter still actively competes in endurance races and has completed numerous events including Ironman and the Boston Marathon. He and his wife Kelly, FPU Hall of Fame student-athlete and former head volleyball coach, have three children: Emma, Paige and Ethan. They are active members of Butler MB Church. Ray Winter Head Coach On July 1, 2014, Fresno Pacific University Director of Athletics Leslie Schuemann announced the appointment of Ray Winter as head coach of the university's track & field and cross country programs. Winter, who served as interim head coach since March, brings a wealth of experience, a commitment to both athletic and academic success and a strong reputation throughout the Valley and the FPU campus community. "We are extremely excited to officially announce Ray Winter as the head coach of our cross country and track & field programs," said Schuemann. "After a national search, Ray stood out amongst an excellent pool of candidates for many reasons. Not only does Ray possess a strong expertise in track & field, but he genuinely understands who we are as an institution and our commitment to being excellent in all areas." "He has a passion for helping our student-athletes grow athletically, but is equally committed to their growth in the classroom and in serving their community. He also brings a strong Christian character and familiarity with FPU. He is a well-respected coach throughout the Valley, has a tremendous vision for what the FPU track & field and cross country programs can become and fully understands what it takes to compete at a high level as an NCAA Division II program. He also possesses a strong Christian character, is well-respected throughout the Valley and brings a familiarity with FPU as an alumni." During the interim, Winter displayed exemplary leadership on the track while implementing improved structures for academic success and community service. He led the team to the 2014 Pacific West Conference championship on the men's side and a second-place finish on the women's side. "Being given this opportunity to lead these two historic programs is the most humbling and exhilarating opportunity of my professional career," said Winter. "My vision for the track and cross country programs is to represent Jesus Christ and FPU with unmatched character and excellence in the community, classroom and playing field. These teams have consistently modeled such traits in past years, and it is an immense privilege to continue to build a culture of winning, family, and hard work." Winter began working as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the FPU track & field program in 2005. Throughout his tenure he has established himself as a proven recruiter with a knack for finding talent and building connections throughout the Valley. "FPU is a gift to the Central Valley, and I am eager to make its light shine through athletics at the next level," said Winter. "These programs have the full support of the university and the athletics administration, with which I hope to advance FPU as the university of choice for Valley student-athletes, making our presence felt at the PacWest and NCAA Division II levels. I am eager to work with alumni and the community to dream big together, win big together and do it in the right way." It was at FPU that Winter first began to develop his leadership skills, competing for the Sunbirds as a student-athlete on the cross country and track teams from 1994-1998 and serving as the team captain for both squads. He was also elected the university's student body president as a senior. Winter went on to spend seven years as a head high school cross country and track & field coach, coaching at both Dinuba High School and Caruthers High School, where he laid the foundation for future success at both programs. He has worked as a literature professor at both FPU and UC Merced, and holds a bachelor's degree in English from FPU ('98), a master's in literature from Fresno State ('06) and a PhD in literature from UC Merced ('10). Winter still actively competes in endurance races and has completed numerous events including Ironman and the Boston Marathon. He and his wife Kelly, FPU Hall of Fame student-athlete and former head volleyball coach, have three children: Emma, Paige and Ethan. They are active members of Butler MB Church. Ray Winter Head Coach On July 1, 2014, Fresno Pacific University Director of Athletics Leslie Schuemann announced the appointment of Ray Winter as head coach of the university's track & field and cross country programs. Winter, who served as interim head coach since March, brings a wealth of experience, a commitment to both athletic and academic success and a strong reputation throughout the Valley and the FPU campus community. "We are extremely excited to officially announce Ray Winter as the head coach of our cross country and track & field programs," said Schuemann. "After a national search, Ray stood out amongst an excellent pool of candidates for many reasons. Not only does Ray possess a strong expertise in track & field, but he genuinely understands who we are as an institution and our commitment to being excellent in all areas." "He has a passion for helping our student-athletes grow athletically, but is equally committed to their growth in the classroom and in serving their community. He also brings a strong Christian character and familiarity with FPU. He is a well-respected coach throughout the Valley, has a tremendous vision for what the FPU track & field and cross country programs can become and fully understands what it takes to compete at a high level as an NCAA Division II program. He also possesses a strong Christian character, is well-respected throughout the Valley and brings a familiarity with FPU as an alumni." During the interim, Winter displayed exemplary leadership on the track while implementing improved structures for academic success and community service. He led the team to the 2014 Pacific West Conference championship on the men's side and a second-place finish on the women's side. "Being given this opportunity to lead these two historic programs is the most humbling and exhilarating opportunity of my professional career," said Winter. "My vision for the track and cross country programs is to represent Jesus Christ and FPU with unmatched character and excellence in the community, classroom and playing field. These teams have consistently modeled such traits in past years, and it is an immense privilege to continue to build a culture of winning, family, and hard work." Winter began working as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the FPU track & field program in 2005. Throughout his tenure he has established himself as a proven recruiter with a knack for finding talent and building connections throughout the Valley. "FPU is a gift to the Central Valley, and I am eager to make its light shine through athletics at the next level," said Winter. "These programs have the full support of the university and the athletics administration, with which I hope to advance FPU as the university of choice for Valley student-athletes, making our presence felt at the PacWest and NCAA Division II levels. I am eager to work with alumni and the community to dream big together, win big together and do it in the right way." It was at FPU that Winter first began to develop his leadership skills, competing for the Sunbirds as a student-athlete on the cross country and track teams from 1994-1998 and serving as the team captain for both squads. He was also elected the university's student body president as a senior. Winter went on to spend seven years as a head high school cross country and track & field coach, coaching at both Dinuba High School and Caruthers High School, where he laid the foundation for future success at both programs. He has worked as a literature professor at both FPU and UC Merced, and holds a bachelor's degree in English from FPU ('98), a master's in literature from Fresno State ('06) and a PhD in literature from UC Merced ('10). Winter still actively competes in endurance races and has completed numerous events including Ironman and the Boston Marathon. He and his wife Kelly, FPU Hall of Fame student-athlete and former head volleyball coach, have three children: Emma, Paige and Ethan. They are active members of Butler MB Church.

DeJongh joined the Sunbird staff as head assistant coach in 2014. He assists in all phases of the cross country and track & field programs, while specializing in the sprints, jumps and hurdles. One of the programs all-time most accomplished athletes, DeJongh holds the school record in the long jump (25 1.75) and triple jump (53 4.5) and finished 15th in the USA in the triple jump at the Olympic Trials in 2012 before taking sixth in the nation at the 2013 U.S. Indoor National Championships. I am extremely honored to have been given the opportunity to share my passion for Christ, for academics, and for track and field to the next generation of Fresno Pacific Sunbirds, said DeJongh. It is with a great deal of joy that I return to FPU to contribute to the spiritual, academic, and physical growth of our cross country and track and field student-athletes. I also look forward to watching these students grow in their faith through service in our ever growing community. DeJongh graduated from FPU in 2013 with a degree in kinesiology and a minor in coaching. Over the course of his career, he accumulated a total of 12 All American Awards and three individual national championships. In 2011, DeJongh led the mens track team by scoring 43 points for its first ever GSAC Championship title. That same year, DeJongh became the second athlete in FPU history to be named the Most Outstanding Performer of the Meet at the national championships. He was the recipient of the Universitys Sunbird of the Year award as a senior. Originally from Visalia, DeJongh starred in track & field at Mount Whitney High School. He continues to actively pursue his dream of reaching the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, while using track & field as a platform for Christ. Ethan obviously has an athletic resume that outshines any other track athlete in FPU history, but even more impressive is his consistent faith, character, and demonstrated leadership, says head coach Ray Winter. We are very fortunate to have him join our staff and share his heart and his world class experience with us. DeJongh believes that FPU has the potential to become a powerhouse, not only in the PacWest, but at the NCAA Division II level. He looks forward to contributing his technical expertise and versatile event experience to refine the mechanical skills of the Sunbirds sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers. Ethan DeJongh Lead Assistant Ethan DeJongh joined the Sunbird staff as head assistant coach in 2014. He assists in all phases of the cross country and track & field programs, while specializing in the sprints, jumps and hurdles. One of the programs all-time most accomplished athletes, DeJongh holds the school record in the long jump (25 1.75) and triple jump (53 4.5) and finished 15th in the USA in the triple jump at the Olympic Trials in 2012 before taking sixth in the nation at the 2013 U.S. Indoor National Championships. I am extremely honored to have been given the opportunity to share my passion for Christ, for academics, and for track and field to the next generation of Fresno Pacific Sunbirds, said DeJongh. It is with a great deal of joy that I return to FPU to contribute to the spiritual, academic, and physical growth of our cross country and track and field student-athletes. I also look forward to watching these students grow in their faith through service in our ever growing community. DeJongh graduated from FPU in 2013 with a degree in kinesiology and a minor in coaching. Over the course of his career, he accumulated a total of 12 All American Awards and three individual national championships. In 2011, DeJongh led the mens track team by scoring 43 points for its first ever GSAC Championship title. That same year, DeJongh became the second athlete in FPU history to be named the Most Outstanding Performer of the Meet at the national championships. He was the recipient of the Universitys Sunbird of the Year award as a senior. Originally from Visalia, DeJongh starred in track & field at Mount Whitney High School. He continues to actively pursue his dream of reaching the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, while using track & field as a platform for Christ. Ethan obviously has an athletic resume that outshines any other track athlete in FPU history, but even more impressive is his consistent faith, character, and demonstrated leadership, says head coach Ray Winter. We are very fortunate to have him join our staff and share his heart and his world class experience with us. DeJongh believes that FPU has the potential to become a powerhouse, not only in the PacWest, but at the NCAA Division II level. He looks forward to contributing his technical expertise and versatile event experience to refine the mechanical skills of the Sunbirds sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers.