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Learn More About Our Elite Coaches
Pat Licari & Al Joyner
Meet Pat, a seasoned Pole Vault and Jumps Coach with an impressive legacy in athletics. Starting as a State Champion at Highline High School in 1986, he continued to excel at Highline Community College and Washington State University, where he became an All PAC-10 athlete. With over 20 years as the head coach at the University of Washington and now leading the Lutheran University team, Pat has nurtured numerous talents, including 3 Olympians and 7 NCAA National Champions. His commitment to the is evident through his personal club, the Pat Licari Pole Vault Club in Tacoma, WA, where he continues to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Al Joyner, born January 19, 1960, in East St. Louis, Illinois, is a former Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump and a celebrated track and field coach. A standout athlete at Arkansas State University, Joyner became a three-time NCAA All-American and won multiple championships during his college career. At the 1984 Summer Olympics, he earned gold in the triple jump and cheered on his sister, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, as she won silver in the heptathlon, making them the first U.S. siblings to win Olympic medals in the same games.
In 1987, Joyner married track legend Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo), later coaching her to three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics. Al Joyner promoted her legacy through charity work, including the Flo Jo Community Empowerment Foundation, and coached aspiring athletes. Inducted into multiple halls of fame, Joyner has worked with UCLA, the US Paralympics, and Team USA, leaving a lasting impact on track and field.