SPIRE IA (Institute & Academy) Promotes Track & Field Legend Kibwé Johnson to Director of Track & Field and Head Coach
SPIRE IA (Institute & Academy) is pleased to announce that Kibwé Johnson, the former Olympic track and field athlete with six US championships and four runner-up finishes, has been chosen to fill the vacancy left by now-retired Charlie Powell, former Director of Track and Field and Head Coach.
GENEVA, Ohio, June 15, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- SPIRE IA (Institute & Academy) is pleased to announce that Kibwé Johnson, the former Olympic track and field athlete with six US championships and four runner-up finishes, has been chosen to fill the vacancy left by now-retired Charlie Powell, former Director of Track and Field and Head Coach.
Kibwé Johnson has been SPIRE's Throws Coach since February of this year, and his experience in both the coaching and competitive landscapes make him the perfect choice for his new position. "I would like to thank Ted Meekma, Rich Odell, Jeff Orloff, and Jonathan Ehrenfeld for entrusting this great honor to me and supporting my vision for what this sport and what our facility at SPIRE can bring to the greater community of track and field. My entire career in this sport has been filled with many great mentors, and I believe their leadership has prepared me well for this next phase of my life."
Kibwé acknowledges that he has some big shoes to fill after Charlie Powell, but says that he will continue leading SPIRE's track and field team with knowledge learned from the former Director of Track and Field. He explains, "I intend to attack my goals and vision with SPIRE the same as I went after my career as an Olympian and Team USA National Team member for many years. Taking over for a titan of the sport like Charlie Powell won't be an easy endeavor and not something that I take lightly. As we continue to build our team, I will continue to draw on what I've learned from Charlie to see that our combined vision comes to fruition."
Working closely with Kibwe to build the SPIRE track and field program is coaching standout Tim Mack. Tim (the 2004 Olympic Gold medalist in the pole vault) is the Training/Development Director and Head Jumps Coach at SPIRE.
Charlie Powell will continue his association with SPIRE as its newest Director Emeritus, a role that will allow him to continue to provide valuable and strategic guidance to the track and field team moving forward.
About SPIRE
SPIRE Institute & Academy is a comprehensive academic, athletic, personal skills and career development experience located within a world class event and wellness complex. Constructed on nearly 500 acres with more than 750,000 sq. ft. under roof, SPIRE (http://www.spireinstitute.org) encompasses four divisions: SPIRE Academy, an accredited college preparatory international boarding school and multi-sport/specialty training and development academy for 9-12 graders and a post grad program; SPIRE Institute, the research and development arm studying performance improvement across multiple disciplines; SPIRE Events, a facility and team that hosts local, national and international tournaments and events with the NCAA, the Big East, Big Ten and Atlantic 10 conferences, Olympic trials and world championship qualifiers; and SPIRE Fit, a community membership-based fitness, swim and health center open to the public. Sports currently featured on campus include swimming, track and field, basketball, esports, drone racing, volleyball, and soccer.
Media Contact
Monica Kolbay, SPIRE IA (Institute & Academy), 240-285-9844, [email protected]
SOURCE SPIRE IA (Institute & Academy)
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