Lincoln University Men's Track

Thomas enjoyed a stellar 2015-16 season in which he earned five coach of the year awards, including being named the USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Indoor Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Tigers to their 12th national championship. Since Thomas took over as head coach, the LU women have won seven outdoor national titles, five indoor national championships (including in 2016), five MIAA indoor titles and four league outdoor championships. The LU men have also excelled under Thomas' guidance, culminating in the Blue Tigers' 2012 outdoor season in which both of Lincoln's track & field teams finished No. 2 in the country. In 2016, Thomas led the Lincoln men to their first MIAA Indoor Track & Field championship since 1981. While at Lincoln, Thomas has coached the womens team to 12 NCAA Division II National Championships. His first title came in 2003 at the outdoor national championships where his athletes won seven events, one short of the record for first place finishes at the Division II level. He went on to coach his team to both the 2004 indoor and outdoor national championships. Thanks to the success the program has enjoyed under Thomas' leadership, Lincoln's track & field teams were inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. The Kingston, Jamaica native has tutored three Olympic athletes during his coaching career including 1992 Olympian Ralston Wright, Veronica Findley (1984 and 88), and Mitchell Francis (1994). Thomas has also shared his expertise with 1995 and 1997 World University Games hurdler Patrina Allen.

Smith, who joined the Blue Tigers in December of 2003, will begin her 14th season in 2016-17. As the main assistant coach for both the women's and men's indoor and outdoor track & field teams, Smith has coached athletes to more than 600 All-American awards. Smith helped lead the Blue Tiger women to the NCAA Division II Track & Field Championship during the 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015 indoor seasons and the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2014 outdoor seasons. While Smith has been at Lincoln, the LU women have only once finished lower than third at the outdoor national championships. An integral part of Lincoln's successful track & field program, Smith has helped coach athletes to over 70 individual and relay national championships. Smith also coordinates the team's community service projects and, this past summer, helped begin the program's first-ever speed camp.   Ailene Smith has helped the Lincoln track & field teams win 11 national championships as an assistant coach. Smith, who joined the Blue Tigers in December of 2003, will begin her 14th season in 2016-17. As the main assistant coach for both the women's and men's indoor and outdoor track & field teams, Smith has coached athletes to more than 600 All-American awards. Smith helped lead the Blue Tiger women to the NCAA Division II Track & Field Championship during the 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015 indoor seasons and the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2014 outdoor seasons. While Smith has been at Lincoln, the LU women have only once finished lower than third at the outdoor national championships. An integral part of Lincoln's successful track & field program, Smith has helped coach athletes to over 70 individual and relay national championships. Smith also coordinates the team's community service projects and, this past summer, helped begin the program's first-ever speed camp.