Coaches
Keith Blackwill, Women’s Cross Country/Indoor-Outdoor Track Coach Email>>
Since Keith Blackwill became Head Track and Field Coach in 2005, the Lady Thunderbirds have finished in the top 10 at Indoor/Outdoor Nationals four times. Six of the athletes became national champions, winning the 4 x 400 meter Relay and Distance Medley Relay at the 2007 Indoor National Meet, finishing 4th overall as a team.
Blackwill came to NMJC after 2 years as Assistant Coach at Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas. While at Barton, he helped guide his team to seven national championships in Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field. Prior to Barton County, Blackwill was the Head Coach at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas. His time there was highlighted by a 5th place finish at the 2002 National Indoor Meet and by a nomination for Coach of the Year.
Other stops on the way to NMJC included being Head Coach at Allen County Community College in Iola, Kansas; Assistant Coach at Odessa College; and Assistant Men’s Coach and Head Women’s Coach at Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kansas. Blackwill has completed 14 years of collegiate coaching, which includes coaching 175 NJCAA All-Americans, 54 National Champions, and eight Indoor/Outdoor National championship teams, and assisting with a National Championship team in Cross Country. In 2010 the Lady T-birds were crowned Indoor National Track and Field Co-National Champions. Coach Blackwill received 2010 Indoor National Coach of the year.
“New Mexico Junior College has proven to be one of the top Junior College track and field programs in the nation. Evident by finishing as Co-National Champions in the 2010 indoor season. The success that we have had is due to the support the faculty and staff gives to every student here at New Mexico Junior College. NMJC is a great place for a student to pursue their athletic and academic careers. With the new addition of Carolyn Boosey as assistant coach the lady T-birds will have continued success."
Coach Blackwill graduated from Fort State University in Hays, Kansas, where he also competed in Track and Field.