Champaign, Illinois. – –Two NCAA Championship Coaches Petros Kyprianou (Pronounced KEEP-ree-on-oo) He has been hired as the new director of fighting for athletics and cross-country programs in Illinois. Josh Whitman It was announced on Tuesday. Kyprianou’s recruitment is awaiting approval by the UI Board at its September meeting.
From 2015 to 2021, Kyprianou held the same position at the University of Georgia, leading the bulldog to unprecedented success in six seasons as head coach. This includes a pair of NCAA titles, the first three runners in school history. -Improved performance, total 16 Top 10 NCAA finishes.
“We are pleased to welcome Director Cyprianou to the Fighting Ilini family,” Whitman said. “During his stay in Georgia, Petros proved his position as a program builder and led a great run for six years with two national championships and numerous podiums, which is what their program has experienced so far. The three-time National Coach of the Year, Petros, has been outstandingly active on the international stage and has coached many athletes for the success of individuals and teams. From the first conversation, his transmission Impressed by sexual energy, passion for sports, and his fierce competitiveness. The bold vision he has for our program, and I lead him to our student athletes. We look forward to adding to the proud tradition of Illinois Track and Field and Cross Country. “
Georgia won the national podium (top 4) 12 times during his tenure as head coach of Cyprianou. This was highlighted by the UGA Women’s Team winning the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2018, and shortly thereafter the UGA Men’s Team won the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Title. In his final season of 2021, the Lady Bulldogs finished third outdoors and fifth indoors in the NCAA Championship, while UGA men finished third indoors and eighth outdoors.
“I’m excited about this opportunity because I feel that the University of Illinois Athletics and Cross-Country Program is a sleeping giant at a conference that is changing to improve all sports,” says Cyprianou. I did. “For me as a professional, it’s important to get the support of a great leader. Josh Whitman.. Talking to him about my goals and expectations, both professionally and personally, the reaction I got was a cultural change and a bright future for young men and women in Illinois athletic and field / cross-country teams. Was very fresh and promising for! Now it’s time to step into the ground and embrace all the talents that are there, including both shiny and rough diamonds. It’s a long and painful journey, but I’m excited about the future.
“It goes without saying that we are forever grateful to the University of Georgia for trusting my leadership in 2015 and supporting us towards the NCAA team title,” added Kyprianou. “My family and I are excited about this new chapter in our lives and look forward to becoming part of the Ilini family.”
Kyprianou has been awarded the National Coach of the Year by the American Athletics and Cross Country Coach Association (USTFCCCA) three times and twice in 2017 (outdoor women) and 2018 (indoor women and outdoor men). .. He also served as two National Assistant Coaches of the Year by USTFCCCA (2014 and 2015 Indoor Women) while working as an Assistant Coach in Georgia for seven years from 2008 to 2015.
Kyprianou taught athletes a total of 28 NCAA titles during his 13-year tenure in Georgia. Emphasizing the striking list of prominent champions is the 2018 Bowerman Award-winning 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year Keturaoji, which was presented to the top athletes in athletics at the university.
Since choosing to leave Georgia in 2021, Cyprianou has been Director of Sport Performance at Episcopal School in Jacksonville, Florida, and continues to provide personalized coaching to elite international athletes. Specializing in jumps and mixed events, Cyprianou has led four countries in international competitions, including three different Olympics. Most recently, the United States won the gold medal on staff at the USA Track & Field Federation of the 2022 World Championships, which was just held in Eugene, Oregon.
Prior to joining Georgia staff, Cyprianaw was an assistant coach at both Boise State University and the University of Nebraska Omaha. Originally from Cyprus, Cyprus has participated in decathlon, pole vaulting, hurdles and long jumps in Greece and won several national championships. He graduated from the University of Aristotle in Greece and later earned his master’s degree from UNO.
Kyprianou will be hired on a five-year contract and will be submitted to the board for approval at the September meeting.
Kyprianou file
home town: Cyprus, Limassol
family: Wife, Masa
Kids, Alexander & Stephane
education: Aristotle University, Bachelor of Science, Physical Education and Sports Science, 2001
University of Nebraska Omaha, MS, Motion Science / Biomechanics, 2006
Coaching experience:
2015-21 – Georgia, Head Coach
2014-15 – Associate Coach, Georgia
2008-14 – Georgia, Assistant Coach
2005-08 – Assistant Coach, Boise
2004-05 – Nebraska-Omaha, Assistant Coach
2001-05 – Greece National Team, Assistant Coach
| Georgia NCAA ends under Kyprianou | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Men’s indoor | Women’s indoors | Men’s outdoor | Women’s outdoors | |
| 2016 | 24th | 3rd place | 29th | 3rd place | |
| 2017 | 4th | 2nd place | The 6th | 2nd place | |
| 2018 | 3rd place | First place | First place | 2nd place | |
| 2019 | The 9th | The 20th | 4th | 66 days | |
| 2020 * | Cancel | Cancel | Cancel | Cancel | |
| 2021 | 3rd place | 5th place | The 8th | 3rd place | |
* The 2020 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Athletics Championships have been canceled due to COVID-19
