Dave Little

Track & Field and Cross Country
(Kretchman Coaching Award)

1960-65

Dave Little started his outstanding career in Track & Field and cross-country at Northern State University in 1961. During his five years at NSU Little was a member of four Track & Field championship teams and one cross-country title. Cross-Country had started in 1960 and did not have a championship until his final year at NSU.

A 1965 graduate of NSU, Little began his collegiate coaching and teaching career at Black Hills State University in 1968 and soon established himself as one of the state’s most successful collegiate Track & Field and cross-country coaches. In 1980, Little was awarded the Outstanding Coach of the Year at NSU. His name became synonymous with winning South Dakota-Iowa Conference (SDIC) cross-country and track titles-17 cross-country titles and 30 Track & Field titles in men’s and women’s competition during his tenure as BHSU head coach. During the 70s and early 80s his men’s teams dominated the league by winning 12 consecutive titles in both cross-country and Track & Field.

For his coaching accomplishments, Little was Named NAIA District 12 coach of the year 14 times, was named South Dakota Sports Writer’s coach of the year once (1978), women’s SDIC coach of the year (1998), and he was recognized as an honorary referee at the 2001 Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls. He also served a two-year term (1984-86) as president of NAIA executive committee on cross-country.