Women's Track Coaching Staff

Head Coach Jeff Raymond

Grace College’s athletic department has named Jeff Raymond the new men’s and women’s track and field and men’s and women’s cross country coach.

Raymond comes to Grace from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill., where he was the institution’s athletic director and head track and field coach for the past six years.

"I am honored to be the next cross country and track and field coach at Grace College, and want to thank Chad Briscoe and the rest of the search committee for offering me this opportunity,” said Raymond.  “My family and I are very much looking forward to becoming part of the Grace community.”

At Trinity, Raymond led the track and field program to its best seasons in school history, including new school records in virtually every event. Over the past two years, Trinity advanced a total of 11 individuals and two relays to appearances in NAIA national championships. During the same time period, Trinity produced numerous NCCAA All-Americans, a pair of NCCAA national champions, and the winner of the prestigious NCCAA Wheeler Award.  Raymond was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Track Coach of the Year in 2009.

“We are very excited to have Jeff join our family at Grace College,” said Grace College athletic director Chad Briscoe.  “Jeff brings an extensive background of successful college experience and a strong desire to impact lives for Christ through track and cross country.  We look forward to the great impact he will have our athletes, campus, and community.”

Before he arrived in Palos Heights, he was an assistant coach in the track and field programs at the University of Georgia, Taylor University and Westmont College (Calif.). 

As an athlete, Raymond ran track at Taylor University for four years and broke three school records. He is a four-time NCCAA All-American, and he won NCCAA national titles in the 400 meters, 400 meter hurdles and 4x400 meter relay in 1986. He still sits in Taylor’s top 10 in the triple jump and 400 meter hurdles.

Raymond graduated from Taylor University with a degree in physical education and health. He went on to earn his master’s degree in sports management at the University of Georgia.

"Most importantly, I am excited to start working with and developing student-athletes, and to encourage them to honor God with their talents, said Raymond.  “If that goal is accomplished, I am confident the cross country and track and field programs will grow and improve in the coming years."

Raymond and his wife, Deborah, have one son, Elijah. They reside in Winona Lake, Ind.