Joey Woody (2009) - Hall of Fame

Joey Woody

Induction:
2009
Class:
1997

During the first year of his collegiate career at UNI, former UNI track standout Joey Woody wrote down a goal: to become not only an All-American but a national champion as well.

Five years later, Woody became UNI’s first NCAA Division I track and field national champion, winning the 400-meter hurdles at the 1997 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

While at UNI Woody was a four-time All-American, placing at the national meet three times in the 400-meter hurdles and once in the 800 meters. He still holds the UNI school record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 48.18.

After his graduation from UNI, he went on to become one of UNI’s most recognized student-athletes. Woody captured nine Drake Relays titles and was named the 1994 Drake Relays Athlete of the Meet. In 2000, he was a member of the USA’s 4x800 meter relay team that set the world record. He was also a member of the USA’s 1999 world championship effort in the 4x400 meter relay team and placed second in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2003 World Championships.

After graduating, Woody spent five seasons as an assistant with the Panthers while continuing to train and compete both nationally and internationally. During that time with the Panthers, he helped UNI to six Missouri Valley Conference team titles, including the first-ever women’s title in 2002. Woody also coached one individual All-American and assisted in coaching two All-American relays.

Following the 2002 season, Woody joined the track and field staff at the University of Iowa working with the men’s sprints, short hurdles and relays along with the women’s long sprints and hurdles. Woody made an instant impact on the Hawkeyes, leading the Hawkeyes to numerous top five finishes at the Big Ten Championships and along with all-region honors as well.

Woody and his wife Heather, have two children, Drake and Isabelle. Heather was also a standout track athlete at UNI, earning all-conference honors.