LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands women's track and field team has added to its coaching staff as the Cowgirls are excited to welcome
Myra Hawkins as their new assistant coach.
"It's exciting to have Coach Hawkins joining our program," NMHU track and field head coach
Bob DeVries said. "She is the daughter of a track coach and has been around track and field most of her life. Myra has coached at every level - from developing a high school program from scratch to an elite DI program at Florida State - and her experience as an athlete give her a real perspective on the demands placed on student-athletes and what it takes to be successful at a high level. Coach Hawkins is an outstanding fit for our program in terms of experience, energy and commitment to excellence."
Hawkins spent last season at Florida State University where she worked with the men's and women's sprinters and hurdlers. While at Florida State, Hawkins worked with All-ACC, All-Region and 1st and 2nd team All-Americans in the 100, 200, 110 hurdles and the women's 4x100 - including athletes Ka'Tia Seymour, Shauna Helps, Trey Cunningham, TyRicke Dickens-Highman, Jayla Kirkland and Courtney Jones who represented USA at the IAAF World Junior Championship. She also assisted with the 2018 men's and women' indoor ACC Championship teams and the men's outdoor ACC championship team.
Hawkins attended Alabama State University on a track and field scholarship as a jumper and a sprinter. While attending ASU, Myra was a part of four SWAC championship teams and was named All-SWAC all four years. In 2008, she was the SWAC champion in the long jump. She was also awarded the Most Valuable Field Performer in the SWAC and Most Valuable Runner for Alabama State. After graduation, she became a volunteer coach at Alabama State, assisting with the sprints and jumps and added one more championship title to her collection.
"I'm extremely honored and excited to be a part of the NMHU coaching staff," Hawkins said. "I want to thank coach
Bob DeVries and the administration for the opportunity to be a part of the team. Everyone has been amazing and very welcoming. Coach Kaymarie Jones has done an awesome job with these amazing ladies and left some big shoes to fill. I can't wait to see what the season has in store for us. Lastly, I want to express my appreciation to coach Bob Braman for giving me opportunity at Florida State University."
Later Hawkins moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where she started her coaching career in track and field at the high school level. She coached six years at Woodlawn High School and Huffman High School. She has coached several top-caliber athletes that ranked in the state, nation and the world. She also coached an athlete that competed internationally on the IAAF World Youth Team and placed third in the 100 meters, and was a two-time IAAF World Junior Team member.
Hawkins has a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's in special education. She also has a USATF Level 1 certification and USTFCCCA Technical Coaching Certification.
