Chris Bucknam (2013) - Hall of Fame

Chris Bucknam

Induction:
2013

Chris Bucknam was UNI’s head men’s track and field coach from 1984-2008 and the women’s head coach from 1997-2008 after beginning his career as a men’s assistant at UNI in 1979.

A 33-time conference coach of the year, "Bucky" produced three national champions and an outstanding 34 All-Americans, who earned a total of 85 All-America awards. That number includes seven athletes who earned top-three finishes in NCAA championships competition, three of which came in 2008. UNI earned 69 All-America honors from 2000-08, including 51 total from 2005-2008. UNI dominated the action at the conference level in Bucknam’s era.

During his time as an assistant and head coach, UNI won or shared 38 conference titles (Mid-Continent and Missouri Valley). UNI won nine straight MVC men’s indoor titles (2000-2008). Bucknam also guided the Panthers to 25 MVC team titles and 231 MVC individual crowns.

In 2008 under Bucknam, UNI became the first MVC school to win all four track and field championships in the same year. The UNI women won the 2008 MVC Indoor and Outdoor titles, while the men also captured the 2008 MVC Indoor and Outdoor team crowns.

Bucknam took over as the head coach of University of Arkansas men’s cross country and track and field programs on June 27, 2008. In his first five years at Arkansas the Razorbacks have won 11 of 15 SEC titles, including the last two triple crowns (cross country, indoor and outdoor team titles). He was voted SEC Coach of the Year 11 times - each time Arkansas won the SEC title.

In 2012-13, Bucknam led the Razorbacks to the NCAA Indoor National Championship (the school’s 41st NCAA title). Bucknam was voted the National Coach of the Year. Arkansas was named the John McDonnell Program of the Year by the USTFCCA.