Ohio Valley Conference

EIU Sports Information

EIU's John Craft

John Craft, who has been affiliated with Eastern Illinois University since 1965 as an All-American athlete, an Olympian, a teacher, coach and administrator, is retiring effective May 30. Craft is in his 33rd year at EIU and will conclude his 22nd season in charge of the women’s track program. From 1979-94 he coached the women’s cross country team as well.

"It’s been a pure joy to coach and teach at Eastern for the past 33 years in addition to the four years I spent here as an undergraduate. The entire experience has been very positive and uplifting for me and my family," Craft said. "I have certainly enjoyed my tenure as the women’s track and cross country coach, my interim roles as the athletic director and associate athletic director, and my time instructing students in the classroom. Also, I’m proud of my association with the Partnerships for Excellence program which afforded underrepresented ethnic group high school students an opportunity to experience college life in the summer and earn college credit."

"John Craft’s athletic legacy spans a variety of areas. He served this University with honor and dignity, and has been a great ambassador for Eastern as a successful Olympic athlete, a winning coach, a teacher and administrator," said Rich McDuffie, EIU Director of Athletics. "We thank John for 33 years of service... it’s been a great journey for him and Eastern. He’s impacted thousands of students in a positive manner. We wish John and his family the very best in his retirement years."

During the second-longest tenure of any current athletic staff member, Craft directed the women to three straight third-place finishes in the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships from 1998-00 and a second-place finish in the 2000 OVC Indoor Championship.

Craft served as Acting Director of Athletics for six months in 1994 and then was Acting Associate Athletic Director of Athletics in 1994-95.

He is a 1982 charter member of the EIU Hall of Fame and was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Helms 'Hall of Fame' in 1975.

Between 1969 and 1975, Craft was the best triple jumper in the United States. A graduate of Momence High School, Craft had never attempted the triple jump until arriving at EIU in the fall of 1965; however, he claimed the first of two NAIA national titles his sophomore year to mark the beginning of a distinguished career at EIU and worldwide. Following his second NAIA title his senior year, Craft won the NCAA College Division championship with a leap of 53-9.25, ranked as the best jump in the world at the time. That qualified Craft to compete in the University Division where he became EIU’s first NCAA Division I All-American with a third-place finish.

By 1972, Craft was competing on the international level. He was still training under legendary EIU coach Pat O’Brien, but now also was an assistant coach with the Panther track team. At the inaugural USA-USSR indoor championship in Richmond, Va., Craft posted an American-record leap of 55-5.00 to win the event and defeat Victor Saneyev, the man still arguably considered as the greatest triple jumper of all time.

A five-time AAU triple jump champion, Craft recorded a fifth-place finish at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. Following the 1976 Olympic Trials, he retired from competition to focus on a successful coaching and teaching career. His 53-9.25 triple jump is EIU’s oldest record in track and field.

Craft also retires as associate professor in the physical education department. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1969 and a masters in 1974.