Jon Van Arkel is a 1979 graduate of Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas and enters his thirteenth season as the Drury Head Coach for 2014-15. He graduated in three years from T.C.U. where he competed all three years in track and cross country. A native of Oskaloosa, Iowa and a graduate of Oskaloosa High School, Jon qualified for the Iowa state high school championships in cross country and track. After he finished his undergraduate degree at T.C.U. Van Arkel graduated from the University of Oregon in Eugene with a degree in law. While in Eugene, considered by many the "track capital" of the United States, Jon was active in a variety of track and cross country events including the Athletes In Action Running Team.
After Van Arkel earned his law degree in 1983 he and his wife, Jo, moved to Springfield where he began his law career. Jon has been able to maintain a critical balance between his law practice and his coaching duties while continuing to enjoy the competition that comes in the sport of cross country and distance running. Jon remains one of the top master's runners in the Springfield area. He finished third in the nation at the master's cross country championship held in Louisville, Kentucky when he turned 40 years old. He continues to compete on the local and regional scenes. Van Arkel is excited about entering his sixth season as the Panthers cross country coach and is looking forward to building a very strong and competitive team that can win the Great Lakes Valley Conference and finish high in the NCAA-II regional and national rankings.
"I have really enjoyed working with the young men and women as their coach and mentor. I look forward, once again, in helping this year's teams compete at their highest level and, at the same time, making running a lifetime experience for each of our student athletes. I am eager to meet the challenges of the year as we aim to be more competitive in our conference, in our region and, ultimately, in the nation," stated Van Arkel.
