Lynn King (2008) - Hall of Fame

Lynn King

Induction:
2008
Class:
1969

Not many athletes earn the opportunity to play two collegiate sports, but from 1964-1969 Lynn King embraced that opportunity and excelled at both track and field and football for the University of Northern Iowa.

As a football player under Stan Sheriff’s direction, King proved to be an important asset to the Panther defense. King recorded three interceptions against Augustana on Oct. 8, 1966 and still co-holds the record for most interceptions in a single game.

While King provided a spark on the Panther defense, track and field was the sport where King found a strong passion. As a student-athlete for the Panthers, King was a pole vaulter, long jumper and triple jumper, and was NCAA Regional Champion in the javelin throw in 1968. He was co-captain of the team his senior year.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in physical education from UNI in 1969, King was drafted into the Army where he served as a military policeman. But King’s passion for track and field brought him back to UNI in 1971 as a graduate assistant under then head coach Jack Jennett. King earned his master’s degree from UNI in physical education in 1972.

King took his passion for track and field and was named head track and field coach at Rochester Community College in 1972. He stayed at Rochester until he was given the opportunity to return to his alma mater, being named UNI’s head track and cross country coach in the summer of 1976.

As head coach for the Panthers, King coached 25 All-Americans, won 11 conference team titles and crowned two national champions. King was selected as NCAA regional or conference coach of the year 10 times during his 13 years at the helm of UNI track and cross country.

In 1984, King was promoted to assistant athletics director at UNI. King served as Director of the UNI-Dome, while coordinating marketing, planning, promotions and scheduling of facilities.

In the summer of 1988, King was named Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Following his time at UW-Oshkosh, King returned to Iowa to serve as Director of Athletics at Drake University from 1990-2000. In the spring of 2000, King was named Director of Athletics at the University of the Pacific.

King kept his ties to track and field throughout the years. He served as the chair for the NCAA Track and Field Committee from 1995-1999 and was a member of the NCAA Olympic Sport Liaison Committee and the NCAA Leadership Council.