Men's Cross Country

Calvin's Brian Diemer Selected for Induction to USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame

-- Story provided by Calvin University Athletics and written by USTFCCCA Communications Staff --

NEW ORLEANS – Former Calvin cross country coach Brian Diemer has once again been selected as a Hall of Famer. Diemer, who coached Calvin cross country and distance athletes for 36 years, has been selected for induction into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.

Diemer, Bob Braman, James Henry, Russ Jewett, Irving "Boo" Schexnayder, and Patty Vavra will all be enshrined in the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame, for not only their historic and incredible accomplishments as cross country and/or track & field coaches, but also the long-lasting impact their contributions have had – and will continue to have – on the sports they coached.

QUICK LINK: USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame History

These six coaches will be honored at the 2025 USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, December 16, at the USTFCCCA Convention, held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

Started in 1995, the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame exists to recognize coaches who have brought great distinction to themselves, to their institutions and to the sports of cross country and track & field. Each of the honorees exemplifies the qualities of dedication to the sport, leadership and passion for their profession and serves as an inspiration to coaches everywhere.

Diemer's induction into the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame marks his second Hall of Fame selection in 2025. Next month, he will be inducted into the University of Michigan Athletics Hall of Fame where he was a national champion steeplechase runner prior to his lengthy career as a U.S. Olympian. It is his third Hall of Fame honor overall as he was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Diemer is the second individual from Calvin University to be selected into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame as former Calvin women's cross country coach Dr. Nancy Meyer was inducted in 2021. 

MORE ON BRIAN DIEMER

Brian Diemer is royalty in the state of Michigan.

From a standout prep career at South Christian High School to winning an NCAA steeplechase title with the Michigan Wolverines to capturing Olympic bronze in the same event to a legendary coaching career at Calvin University, Diemer brought an overwhelming pride to the Mitten State.

Truth be told, Diemer didn't expect to coach three years, let alone nearly four decades.

"[Former Calvin coach] David Tuuk asked if I'd do the 'hands-on' coaching in his final two years until his retirement," Diemer told Calvin's website in 2022. "My stint was to be a two-year term with no chance of continuing because I was not faculty or staff at Calvin College. Apparently, some concessions were made, because I will be finishing 36 years of coaching next month."

2022 Brian Diemer Retirement Story

If Diemer's foray into coaching ended in 1988, four years after he placed third in the steeplechase at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, his resume would look quite different: zero NCAA titles, instead of four; one Great Lakes Region championship, instead of 34; one Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) team title, instead of a record-setting 42; and a plethora of other accolades on the conference, regional, and national stage.

Most of Diemer's success at Calvin came with the men's cross country program, a squad he led from 1986 until his well-deserved retirement in 2022. Between those years, Diemer also added the role of distance coach for the men's and women's track & field teams starting in 1987 and head coach of the women's cross country team beginning in 2006.

It didn't take long for Diemer's Knights to charge into unchartered territory.

After finishing a close runner-up to Hope College in 1986, Calvin won its first MIAA cross country crown under Diemer in 1987. The Knights would not lose again with Diemer at the helm. Seriously. Calvin put together a streak of 34 consecutive MIAA titles from 1987 to 2021. Eight of the years saw the Knights scored a perfect 15 points, including six between 2000 and 2010.

The aughts treated Calvin's squads well on the grass circuit. The Knights didn't extend that same courtesy to their opponents, though. Calvin's men won four national titles in seven years and finished runner-up in the other three. The Knights were particularly dominant in 2003 when they steamrolled the competition in Hanover, New Hampshire, en route to an 80-point triumph, which was the third largest margin of victory in meet history to that point. Calvin's women landed on the podium in each year from 2006 to 2009, highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2008.

The Knights also starred on the oval. Diemer-coached athletes won five NCAA event crowns and racked up multitudes of All-America honors. Patrick McNamara and John Lumkes ruled the steeplechase in 1989 and 1990, respectively, and Calvin remains the only men's program in NCAA DIII history to win back-to-back steeplechase titles with different athletes.

Diemer was named USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year four times and earned more than five times as many Regional Coach of the Year honors during his illustrious career.

When contacted on Tuesday afternoon to learn of the honor, Diemer was surprised yet thrilled to hear the news. "This is a pleasant surprise," said Diemer. "Privately, I had hopes that someday I might be a part of this (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame, but I wasn't waiting on pins or needles. To receive this news today is wonderful."

Diemer again, reflected on the many men's and women's teams and athletes that he coached through his illustrious coaching career. "I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to work with young people who were excited about developing the gifts and talents they have been blessed with.  It is so neat when teams come together and do something greater than what they could do individually. That is something that always drove me for 36 years as a head coach."

Calvin Director of Athletic Dr. Jim Timmer Jr. stated that Diemer's induction into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame is well-deserved. "There is no doubt in my mind that Brian deserves this honor and we offer him our sincerest congratulations," said Timmer. "I can say that the entire Calvin University community is thrilled to see him recognized like this. Calvin has truly been blessed by his service through the years. This is a tremendous way to once again celebrate his work with Calvin University."

The annual opening Calvin cross country home race is now called the Diemer Invitational and will take place this Saturday at the Gainey Athletic Complex with the women's 5K race set for 9:30 a.m. and the men's 8K race to follow at 10:15 a.m. The morning will actually begin with a Calvin Alumni/Family 5K run beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Diemer will be in attendance as will the supporting coaches and athletes from his 2000 Calvin men's cross country national championship team that are gathered for a weekend reunion. The 2000 Calvin men's cross country national champions will be recognized in between the first and second quarter of Saturday's home football game against Concordia University (Wis.) at Calvin Soccer Stadium. Diemer is also slated to be interviewed at halftime of the live stream broadcast of the football game hosted by Director of Corporate Partnerships and Athletics Sponsorships Bob Sack.