Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Coach (Throws/Multi-Events)
- Email:
Phil Groves was named an assistant coach with the UMKC track and field program in August 2008. He will serve as the throws and multi-events coach for the Kangaroos.
While in Lakewood, N.J., Groves served as the head coach for GCU, where he was tabbed to create and field a new track and field program at the school. This role was to include administrative duties, recruiting for the Lions, including organizing, arranging and administering campus visits, and designing most aspects of training for the team, particularly in the areas of throws, jumps, multi-events and sprints.
Before moving to the East Coast, Groves served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Adams State College in Alamoso, Colo., from February 2007 to March 2008. During his time at Adams, the Grizzlies claimed the NCAA Division II Women’s Indoor National Championship and student-athletes under Groves' guidance garnered eight all-America honors. From Aug. 2006 to Jan. 2007, Groves was an graduate assistant coach at Chadron State College.
Prior to his move to CSC, Groves spent two and a half years at Missouri Baptist University, where he coached 10 all-Americans, including two-time national champion Shernell Nichols in the women’s shot put. Nichols claimed the 2005 NAIA outdoor title and the 2006 NAIA indoor championship in the event. As a result, Groves was named the 2006 NAIA Indoor Women’s National Assistant Coach of the Year - Throws.
As a team, Groves was instrumental in leading the Spartans to the 2006 NAIA Indoor National Championship and the 2006 NAIA Outdoor National Championship. Throughout his collegiate coaching career, Groves coached student-athletes to a total of 28 school records. Additionally, 10 individuals posted top-three national finishes under his guidance.
Groves has also been active on the high school and youth scene in his coaching career. While working with select student-athletes, he coached 15 all-state honorees, three individual state champions, 15 individual district champions and 16 individual conference champions. On the youth circuit, 13 athletes earned AAU/USATF all-America honors under his watch, and he coached one USATF Heptathlon National Champion and one AAU Discus National Champion.
Groves, who is a USATF Level I Certified Track and Field Coach, earned his bachelor of science degree in nutrition and fitness from the University of Missouri in May 2005. He is scheduled to receive his master’s degree in human performance and physical education with an emphasis in exercise science from Adams State in Dec. 2008.
