Coaching Staff
Head Coach Dave Ricks
Phone:(507)646-7808
Email: daricks@carleton.edu
Dave Ricks, an an assistant professor in the physical education, athletics and recreation department, moves into his third season as Carleton College's head men's track and field coach. He also serves as Carleton's head men's cross country coach.
In his first two seasons Ricks has led the Knights to a pair of top-five finishes at the MIAC Outdoor Championships. In 2005 the Knights finished fifth, a year after they finished third at the 2004 MIAC Outdoor Championships, their best finish in seven years, when the Knights also finished third. The Knights captured four individual titles outdoors in 2004, including Matt Hooley’s ’04 astounding three victories in the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters. The Knights were also third in the 2004 MIAC Indoor Championships. Hooley has since qualified for the 2007 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in New York's Central Park.
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 28 years. He has completed USA Track and Field's Level I Certification program for coaches.
Ricks also earned a master of business administration degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He's currently pursuing a master's degree in physical education and exercise science from 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.
