IU Athletics Mourns The Passing of Long-Time Track Coach Sam Bell

Published by Indiana SID on June 27th, 2016

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Sam Bell, the long-time head track and field coach at Indiana University, passed away Monday morning in Bloomington at the age of 88.
 
Bell is one of most decorated coaches in the history of Indiana track and field. During his tenure at Indiana (1970-98) he led the Hoosiers to 22 Big Ten titles.  Indiana placed inside the top 10 in the NCAA Championships 23 times under Bell's reign, and the cross country team won two NCAA individual titles.
 
"It is with great sadness that our staff acknowledges the passing of Coach Bell," said Indiana track and field head coach Ron Helmer. "But it is with great pride that we recognize all he has done for IU, for our track and field program and for the many athletes who had the good fortune to call Sam Bell "Coach".   Lots of people coach but few embrace the profession and winning as vigorously and passionately as Coach Bell. 
 
"His time here is marked by success after success after success, all while he served as a leader in the profession and sport for the entire country.  Certainly our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach's family at this difficult time.  I hope their spirits are buoyed by the knowledge that so many former athletes and friends share, not only in their grief, but in their celebration of a life well lived."
 
He served his fellow coaches as president of the United States Track Coaches Association from 1997-2002. He previously served as president of the Division I Track Coaches Association from 1979-80. He was also one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Athletics Congress, which replaced the AAU as the governing body of track and field in the United States.