BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Virgil Givens, who has served on the Campbell staff since 2018, has been named head track & field/cross country coach, Director of Athletics Dr. Omar Banks announced Monday.
Givens, who joined the staff as an assistant coach in October 2018, was named interim head coach in August before having the interim title removed this month.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank my family for their continued support," said Givens, who has worked with Campbell's sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams. "I would also like to thank Director of Athletics, Omar Banks, Deputy A.D., Alisha Tucker and the executive staff for their belief in me and our shared vision for the future of this program."
Since joining the Fighting Camel program, Givens has coached 10 Big South champions and 20 all-conference performers. He guided Dominique Alexander to 2021 NCAA Outdoor Regional qualifier status in the 100 and 200 meters.
Alexander (100m, 200m outdoors, 200m indoors), Daequon Carr (60m indoors and Naelee Stone (60m indoors) have set school records since Givens' arrival.
This fall during Givens' tenure as interim head coach Athanas Kioko won the Big South Conference and NCAA Southeast Regional. Kioko finished third in the NCAA National Cross Country Championship on Nov. 20 marking the best finish in program history.
"Coach Givens presented a vision for the program that will keep Campbell in the forefront of our conference," said Banks. "It was very impressive, and I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to execute their vision. He has galvanized our student-athletes and coaches together during a tumultuous time, and he deserves the opportunity."
Givens served as head coach at Millbrook High School in Raleigh during two stints, from Oct. 2010-July 2015 then again from Sept. 2016 until accepting the Campbell position in 2018.
"Coach Givens presented a vision for Campbell track and field that was in line with the mission and vision for the University as well as the athletics department," said Tucker. "He has demonstrated his ability to recruit athletes who can compete on a very high level athletically and academically and brings a business mindset to the program. Coach Givens offers a level of continuity and familiarity to Campbell track and field, and I have no doubt that he will continue the high level of success we have come to expect from this program."
In between, he was a volunteer assistant coach at the University of North Carolina (2015-2016), where he oversaw the Tar Heel sprinters, hurdlers, horizontal jumpers and relay teams.
While at Millbrook, Givens directed his teams to regional indoor and outdoor championships.
"I am honored to be entrusted with leading this program into its next chapter and will work meticulously to show the track & field world what can be done at Campbell University," said Givens. "I am extremely excited about our future here in the Creek."
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Givens is the owner of Active Body Design, a wellness and massage therapy company in Raleigh.
He is a 2007 graduate of North Carolina A&T with a B.S. in criminal justice, cognate: psychology. A four-year member of the Aggie football team, he played for the Reading Express in the AIFL from 2008-09. He has also been involved with the Carolina Elite USATF Track Club and Hurdles First USATF Club.
Givens, who earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2011, and his wife, Dominique, have two daughters, Ryeleigh and Emersyn.
