Lehman College Director of Athletics, Dr Martin L Zwiren, has announced that former Olympian at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Joel Phillip, has been chosen as the next Lehman College men’s and women’s track/field and cross-country coach.
Phillip is not only a former Olympian, but he is a three-time National Champion and a five-time All-American. He represented Grenada in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he finished 39th in the qualifying round of the 400 meter dash, with a time of 46.30 seconds.
“It feels great to be the new head coach at Lehman College,” Phillip said. “I want to thank Dr Zwiren for giving me this opportunity. Being a head coach was always a goal of mine and I am excited to lead this program.”
Phillip also had a very successful collegiate career. He was a three-time All-American at Arizona State University. In 2008, he competed at the NCAA Indoor Track National Championships, where he finished second overall in the 400m dash, completing the race in 46.27 seconds. He was also part of the 4x400m relay team that finished third, with a time of 3:06.34.
While competing for Central Arizona at the Junior College level, Phillip was a two-time All American. He won the 2007 NJCAA Outdoor National Championship in the Decathlon event, with 6,799 points. As a team, Central Arizona won the 2006 Outdoor National Championship. That same year, Phillip also earned a national title in the 4×400 meter relay event.
“I am excited to welcome a track coach of Joel’s caliber, experience and background that will join our coaching staff,” Zwiren said. “I am also very confident that Joel can maintain the high level of success that our track programs have demonstrated at the local and NCAA national levels over the past several years.”
From 2011–2012, Phillip served as sprints/jump coach for Columbia University, where he assisted with the creation and implementation of workouts for sprinters, hurdlers, relays, and long jumpers.
Residing in Springfield Gardens, NY, Phillip earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Arizona State University in 2009 and his Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Lindenwood University in 2014.
Here are some other links for more information about Coach Phillip.
