Clayton State University Athletics

Coach Mike Mead provided over 30 years of service for Clayton State in many different roles including serving the first Sports Information Director, Interim Athletic Director and the founder of the Laker cross country and track & field teams.  Mike was a six-time PBC Coach of the Year and was a two-time Conference champion in cross country.  Under his direction,  the 2005 men’s cross country team and the 2012 women’s cross country team won the Peach Belt Conference Championships.  Coach Mead also coached Hall of Famer Allison Kruetzer who was a two-time PBC cross country individual champion and Angela Cobb who won the Individual title in 2006.  On the men’s side, there were three indivudual champions in Job Kemboi in 2014 and Walid Berkhedle and Bobby Valadez in 2007 and 2005, respectively.  

Under the direction of Coach Mead, there were eight teams that earned runners-up finishes, in cross country as well.  In all, he coached 17 All-Americans and numerous all-conference selections, combined between cross country & track & field.  During his tenure, the Lakers competed  in 10 NCAA Championships for cross country and 27 Championships for track & field. Coach Mead also served on multiple USTFCCCA and Division II Track & Field committees and was also honored with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Honor in 2021. 

Coach Mead will enter the Hall of Fame as one of the most beloved Laker coaches and administrators to ever step on campus.