Head Coach Dave Ricks
Phone:(507)222-7808
Email: daricks@carleton.edu

Dave Ricks took over the reigns of the men's track and field program prior to the 2004 season. He also serves as Carleton's head men's cross country coach and is an associate professor in the physical education, athletics and recreation department.

He has led the Knights to top-five finishes three times at the MIAC Indoor Championships and twice at the MIAC Outdoor Championships. The Knights captured four individual outdoor titles in 2004, including Matt Hooley’s ’04 astounding trifecta in the 1,500-, 5,000-, and 10,000-meter runs. Hooley later qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Ricks, formerly an assistant coach for the Carleton women's track and field and cross country teams for 12 years, is a 1976 graduate of Union College (N.Y.), where he earned his B.S. in mathematics and his M.S. in computer science. Ricks was a two-sport All-American, specializing in the decathlon in track and field. He earned All-America honors in the decathlon in 1975 and was also an Academic All-America defensive back for Union in 1973.

During his time with the Carleton women’s cross country and track and field program, Ricks has helped the Knights finish in the top three at the MIAC Cross Country Championships 11 times in 14 seasons, including winning the 2004 MIAC title and adding back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2001 and 2002. The women’s cross country team finished 11th at the 2004 NCAA Championships and was ranked in the top 25 the entire season. In 2003, the outdoor track and field season saw the Knights finish second at the MIAC Championships and tie for 21st at the NCAA Championships, pushing the Knights into the top 25 of the final NCAA Division III team power rankings. Ricks has been involved with collegiate track and field either as a competitor or coach for the last 32 years. He has completed USA Track and Field's Level I Certification program for coaches.

Ricks earned a M.S. in computer and an MBA from Minnesota Statue University-Mankato. He also studied exercise physiology at the graduate level while at MSU-Mankato.  

He and his wife, Carleton head women's cross country and track and field head coach Donna Ricks, reside in Northfield with their daughter, Karissa.