Personal information | |
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Birth name | Arturo Venegas |
Born | Tepic, Mexico | December 5, 1951
Occupation(s) | Track and Field coach |
Employer(s) | USA Track and Field 2010-2017, UCLA 1982-2009, Cal State Long Beach 1979-1982, Cal State Northridge 1976-1979 |
Spouse | Marlene Venegas |
Arturo "Art" Venegas (born 1951) is a former track and field coach, specializing in the throwing events. During his coaching career, Venegas led 63 athletes to conference titles, and he coached 33 throwers to NCAA championships.[1] The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) said that he "left an indelible mark on the sport of track & field for over 40 years".[2]
Venegas coached eleven Olympic athletes directly[1] and he designed strength training programs to augment the training regimens of Olympic sprint medalists Mike Marsh, Ato Bolden, Steve Lewis, and Kevin Young. He also was the throwing event coach of Olympic multiple heptathlon (and long jump) gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, coaching her throwing and guiding her in strength training.[1][3] Sports Illustrated voted Jackie the "athlete of the 20th Century" at the close of the millennium.[4]