Virgil Givens was named Campbell University’s head track & field/cross country coach in November 2021.
Givens, who joined the staff as assistant coach in October 2018, was named interim head coach in August 2021 before having the interim title removed three months later.
“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.”
Givens continued to lead the program to record accomplishments during his second season at the helm in 2023. He was named Big South Coach of the Year for both men and women during the outdoor season and earned Coach of the Year honors for men during the indoor season. Dominique Alexander and Chastity Pickett both earned Big South Track Athlete of the Year honors at the conclusion of the season.
A program record six Camels qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships under Given's guidance in 2023. The men's 4x100m relay team of Dominique Alexander, Andre Bent, Jamal Miller and Jamel Miller earned honorable mention All-America honors after placing 17th overall with a school record time of 39.05 at the national meet. Additionally, Dorcus Ewoi and Chastity Pickett both earned first team All-America honors at the NCAA Championships. Ewoi finished fifth overall in the 800m while Pickett earned the highest individual finish in women's program history with a third place finish in the 400m hurdles. Pickett's 400m hurdles time of 54.86 at the NCAA Championships also marked a school record.
Both the Campbell men and women's programs finished as runners-up at the Big South Outdoor Championships. Zach Stein-Drago was named Big South Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year while C.J. McBride was named Men's Most Outstanding Performer after setting a Campbell and Big South tying record high jump mark of 2.25 meters. McBride's high jump mark would go on to be tied for the second-best mark in the entire country during the 2023 season. Additionally, Andre Douglas was named men's Most Valuable Athlete after earning podium finishes in the men's 110m and the triple jump. In total, 12 Camels set school records during the outdoor season.
The 2023 indoor season saw 11 school records set.
In his first season as head coach in 2022, Givens guided the track & field program to new heights. His first season was highlighted by the men's indoor team capturing the Big South title, the first track & field conference title in program history. As credit to his success, Givens was named Big South Coach of the Year for both the men's indoor and outdoor seasons.
The 2022 indoor season saw eight school records toppled and nine Big South individual champions. The season was capped off by Athanas Kioko earning second team All-American honors in the 3000m at the NCAA Championships. The Fighting Camels amounted eight individual champions at the Big South Outdoor Championships where the men finished third overall in a tight battle at the top of the standings.
Nine Camels qualified for the NCAA East Preliminaries in 2022 with two, Athanas Kioko and Dorcus Ewoi, qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Kioko earned first team All-American honors in the 10,000m after finishing fifth overall and honorable mention All-American honors in the 5000m after finishing 19th. Ewoi took home second team All-American honors after placing 10th.
Leading the coaching of Campbell's sprints and hurdles, Givens has coached 11 Big South champions and 25 all-conference performers.
He guided Dominique Alexander to 2021 NCAA Outdoor Regional qualifier status in the 100 and 200 meters. In 2022 Alexander once against qualified for the 200m at the NCAA Outdoor Regionals in addition to freshman Jadarien Parker. Chastity Pickett also qualified for regionals in the 400m hurdles in addition to the 4x100m relay team consisting of Alexander, Parker, Jamel Miller and Andre Bent.
This fall during Givens’ tenure as interim head coach Athanas Kioko won the Big South Conference and NCAA Southeast Regional to earn third place at the NCAA National Cross Country Championships on Nov. 20.
“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 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.
