Bob Graf

blank

Position: Volunteer Coach | High Jump Experience: 7th Season

Bob Graf is entering his seventh season as a volunteer coach for the Air Force track and field team, where he works primarily with the program's high jumpers.

The 2011 season proved to be a banner year for Graf and his jumpers. Four members of the women's team debuted on the program's top-10 list, highlighted by Regan Rogers' Freshman Class Record of 5'8" - the second-best jump in Academy history. On the men's side, Zach Wood used an outdoor clearance of 6'10¼" to become the first jumper to impact the program's all-time record book since 1998.

Graf joined the Academy staff after spending six years as the assistant track coach at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Prior to his appointment at UCCS, Graf spent 25 years coaching at the high school level, including 18 years at Wasson High School in Colorado Springs. He has also coached several athletes in the Army's World Class Athlete program and at the 2008 Olympic Trials.

During his career, Graf coached a state championship boys' team and a state champion or place-finisher in 17 of 18 track events. He has been honored as the Coach of the Year four times, was named the Junior Achievement "Economics Teacher of the Year" for the state of Colorado and the Colorado High School Coaches Association Teacher/Coach of the Year. Graf has also served as the president and executive secretary of the Colorado High School Coaches Association.

In March 2012, he will be inducted into the Colorado High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

He is a retired master USA Track and Field official and spent 20 years as the head starter for Air Force track meets. Graf has also served as the head starter at the Colorado state meet. He has worked at two Olympic Games and four Olympic Trials, as well as numerous national meets. He is also a member of the USA Track and Field Officials Association. He is also a member of the USA Track and Field Officials Association.

Graf received his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado and went on to obtain a master's degree from Adams State College, where he worked as a graduate assistant for the cross country and track programs.

A retired activities director from the Woodland Park School District, Graf and his wife Suzie live at Blue Mountain Ranch, which is an activities and sports camp that was founded by Suzie's parents in 1946. They have two sons, David and Tim.