Dec. 7, 2014

Dr. McGuire (right) with George Dales (left)  |  Photo courtesy of Craig Macaluso

Columbia, Mo. - Dr. Rick McGuire was recognized for his contributions and life long commitment to the profession of coaching with the 2014 George Dales Award, one of the USTFCCCA's (U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) most prestigious honors.  Presented on Tuesday (December 16) at the USTFCCCA Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., the award is a salute to Dr. McGuire's pioneering work in the sports psychology field, as well as his immeasurable accomplishments as the head coach of the Mizzou Track & Field program for 27 years (1983-2010).

"The list of previous George Dales Award winners is literally overwhelming, a 'Who's Who' of American track & field," Dr. McGuire said. "To be included with these great men and leaders of our field is such an enormous honor, and at the same time humbling.  It was completely unexpected."

ABOUT THE AWARD
The award's namesake, George Dales, was the longtime coach at Western Michigan University, known for his commitment to the growth and development of cross country and track & field.  The award recognizes the individual who has dedicated their work to the advancement of the coaching profession for cross country and track & field.

"George Dales is a giant in our sport.  He has been retired for over 40 years, and has worked tirelessly every day to make track & field coaching better," Dr. McGuire said. "He was a pioneer leader of our Coaches Association, and was a contemporary of Missouri's own Hall of Fame Coach, Tom Botts.  George Dales is the epitome of what every collegiate coach should be!  This award, in his name, holds tremendous appreciation, honor, and meaning for me personally."

Previous winners of the award are:
2006 - George Dales (Western Michigan)
2007 - Victor Lopez (Rice)
2008 - Steve Simmons (Cal Poly)
2009 - Dr. Leroy Walker (North Carolina Central)
2010 - Stan Huntsman (Texas)
2011 - Sam Bell (Indiana)
2012 - Ed Temple (Tennessee State)
2013 - Bill Faulk (Rhode Island)

"COACH'S" LASTING IMPACT
The legacy of Dr. McGuire (or simply, "Coach") spans far beyond the athletic successes f his athletes, reaching into the classroom and onto the international stage as one of the leaders in sports psychology.  During his 27 years at the helm of the Tigers' Track & Field program, Dr. McGuire led over 140 All-Americans, 29 U.S. National Team members, seven NCAA Champions, five Olympians, three NCAA record holders, and one indoor and outdoor IAAF World Champion.

A constant promoter of academic success, Dr. McGuire also mentored over 100 USTFCCCA All-Academic individuals, 45 consecutive USTFCCCA Women's All-Academic teams, 38 Conference or NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients, and 12 Academic All-Americans.

"I am a coach, and I am proud to be a coach," Dr. McGuire said in his acceptance speech on Tuesday. "There is nothing more impactful and meaningful that I could have done with my life than to be a coach."

Recognized several times throughout his career for his accomplishments as a coach, Dr. McGuire entered the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999.  He was also chosen to serve on staff for nine U.S. National Track & Field teams, including during the 1992 and 1995 Olympic Games in Barcelona and Atlanta.

Dr. McGuire is a 1983 graduate of the University of Virginia where he earned his Ph.D. in Sport Psychology.  He went on to found the sport psychology program for USATF in 1983, and served as its leader for over 25 years.  He also established the Sport Psychology graduate program at the University of Missouri, as well as the Missouri Insitute of Positive Coaching.  For his excellence in teaching, Dr. McGuire was recognized with three of the highest faculty honors at the University of Missouri - the High Flyers Award, the Pillar of Excellence Award, and the Faculty-Alumni Award.

Dr. McGuire resides in Columbia, Mo., with his wife Jane, and continues to teach and lead Missouri's Sport Psychology program.

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