Vanguard University Men's Track

Wilkins is an unbelievably committed coach for both the men's and women's cross-country teams as well as the track and field teams. Wilkins became the second coach recognized in this manner and is one of only three VU coaches in the VU Athletic Hall of Fame. Wilkins' athletes have succeeded on and off the course and the track. He has coached 80 NAIA All-Americans and 78 NAIA Scholar-Athletes during his career at Vanguard. Wilkins was named the GSAC Track and Field Coach of the Year in 2009 and his teams are consistently among the best in the competitive league. He also received the NAIA's prestigious Coach of Character award in 2010. Nine different squads coached by Wilkins have been selected for the NAIA Team of Character award, an honor given to teams which demonstrate a high level of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. Personally, Wilkins has been involved in running (track, cross country, mountain biking and road-racing) for over 40 years and has logged well over 70,000 miles in his lifetime as a distance runner. A high school cross country and track athlete from Nebraska (and a die-hard Nebraska Cornhusker fan), Wilkins completed in collegiate cross country while he earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Evangel University in 1983. In addition, he has run post collegiately for three different club teams. "Vanguard provides the opportunity to develop student-athletes in a Christian environment, with strong community, in a beautiful location," Wilkins said. "I absolutely love VU and all the institution stands for." Bryan has a full-time job as the Business Manager at Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa. Wilkins is single and lives in Orange. Smith, who graduated in 2005 from UC-Irvine, was a standout cross country and track and field athlete for the Anteaters, helping her team to the 2005 Big West Cross Country title. Smith was named a four-time scholar-athlete, and won the UCI Athletics Leadership Award as a senior. Post-graduation, Smith has continued to train and has completed  many races. Smith's primary duties are working with the distance runners on both the men's and women's side. Smith is married. Her husband, David, is a professional indoor volleyball player and a member of the US National Team. Coach Garcia comes to us with an extensive history in coaching track and field. With over 8000 athletes ranging from 6 years old to 97 years young, Coach Autumn has experienced a wide range of athletic ability and talent from beginner to the elite. She would tell you she gets just as excited watching her sprinters cross the finish line today, as she did in 1996. A few of her proudest moments include watching her athletes in the Olympic Opening ceremony parade, watching her son grow into a man, and listening to her athletes pray.

Smith was named a four-time scholar-athlete, and won the UCI Athletics Leadership Award as a senior. Post-graduation, Smith has continued to train and has completed  many races. Smith's primary duties are working with the distance runners on both the men's and women's side. Smith is married. Her husband, David, is a professional indoor volleyball player and a member of the US National Team. Coach Garcia comes to us with an extensive history in coaching track and field. With over 8000 athletes ranging from 6 years old to 97 years young, Coach Autumn has experienced a wide range of athletic ability and talent from beginner to the elite. She would tell you she gets just as excited watching her sprinters cross the finish line today, as she did in 1996. A few of her proudest moments include watching her athletes in the Olympic Opening ceremony parade, watching her son grow into a man, and listening to her athletes pray.