Class of 2023

ALAN PEOPLES
POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

COACHING 

Coached 63 individuals to state titles

Coached 64 individuals who competed in college

Coached Polk County boys to 2018 N.C. 1A state track and field championship Coached Polk County boys to 2016 N.C.1A/2A state indoor track and field runner-up

Started coaching in 1972, with the last 34 years as head track/cross country coach at Polk County High School (1989-current)

USATF Level II Endurance Coach-2015

USATF Level I Coach-1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011

OFFICIAL 

State Outdoor Track Meet director-1994-2017 (24 years)

Regional Outdoor Track Meet director-1992-2017 (24 years)

State Indoor Track co-director-1992-95-4 years; Director-2017-20 (4 years)

Regional XC director- 1990, 1992-2002, 2005-2016 (1, 2, and 3A West), 24-regionals

Starter, 1985

Junior Olympics track coach- 1989-1997

USATF Official’s Certification at National Level for D-1, D-2, NAIA, & JUCO

NFHS Official

13-year meet director/founder, Reindeer Games

14-year meet director/founder, WNC Polar Bear Championships

​

AWARDS  

35 Coach of the Year Awards  

Won [1 of 2] Polk County’s “Mt Rushmore of Coaching” by community vote, 2021

2015 NFHS Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year for North Carolina

2018 NCHSAA Boys State Outdoor 1A Track Coach of the Year

2018 Asheville Citizen-Times Track Coach of the Year

2010 Times-News Women’s Outdoor Track Coach of the Year

2005 NCHSAA Women’s Runner-up State XC coach of the year

19-time boys and girls’ conference outdoor Track Coach of the year (1991, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006 boys; 2006 girls; 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 boys; 2019 girls’ 2021 girls; 2022 girls

2001 Mountain Bank track Coach of the Year

9-time Mountain Bank cross country coach of the year (1989, 1990, 1991, 2013 boys; 2013 girls; 2014 boys; 2014 girls; 2015, 2016  

2010 NCHSAA Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award

2008 NCHSAA State and regional meets director award

2002 NCHSAA Dick Knox Award (when he retired 2002)

2001 NCHSAA Wall of Champions

1998 NCHSAA Unsung Hero award

1994 NCHSAA State Outdoor Track Team Academic Average Award

7-time team NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award, track , 1992-2009

​

OFFICES HELD

NC Track and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (NCTCCCA) 2005-2007, Board of Directors

2007-2008, 2nd Vice President

2008-2009, 1st Vice President

2009-2010, President

2011-2012, Past President