Norman Lee Witek (Tennessee 1963-1967)

After graduating with a MS from Tennessee in 1967-1968, Coach Rohe wanted to know if I would be interested in trading places with Thad Talley who was the Track & Cross Country Coach at Brevard College. Thad came to Tennessee as a graduate assistant under Coach Rohe while I took the coaching job at Brevard. I will always appreciate the opportunities that Coach Rohe gave me which has lead me to such a successful career.
Coaching Achievements at Brevard College 1967-1985:

I will always appreciate the opportunities that Coach Rohe gave me which has lead me to such a successful career.

  • Produced 116 All Americans
  • 3 National Junior College XC Champions
  • 1 NJCAA Marathon Championship 1982 (First National Championship at BC)
  • 4 Straight National Cross Country Championships 1982-1985
  • 3 Time National Coach of the Year
  • Coached 3 Olympians
  • Coached First African American to run a 4:00 mile in 1971 at the Dream Mile
  • Inducted into NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1990

Other Coaching/Running Achievements:

  • Inducted into Brevard College Hall of Fame in 2004
  • Inducted into Lyons Township High School Hall of Fame in 2008 where I attended HS in LaGrange, IL
  • Director of the Brevard Distance Runners Camp, over 1,000 campers makes it the largest US running camp
  • 2004-Adidas World Headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany named a women’s athletic shoe called “Witek” for my contribution to the sport of running. Only nonprofessional athlete to have a shoe named after him by a nationally recognized shoe company
  • Master Competition at 52 years old in 1997-finished runner up in National Masters indoor track championships (Boston, MA) in the 400 meters with a time of 54.80. Also finished 4th in 200 with a time of 25.33.

​Although I have served many roles over the years, I am currently still at Brevard as a tenured professor of Exercise Science and last year got involved back in coaching as the Director of Cross Country and Track at Brevard College.