Lamar University Athletics

Coach Sonny Jolly patiently resurrected the Lamar University track and field program, created a dynasty in the Southland Conference and guided it to national prominence with astounding success during a 20-year reign.

Prior to the Jolly era, the Cardinals were always contenders but managed just two conference championships. After six years of molding the program, his teams attained the pinnacle of success. From 1978 through 1986, the Cardinals captured nine consecutive Southland Conference outdoor track and field championships. Overall, his teams collected a combined 22 cross country, indoor and outdoor conference titles.

Jolly was named conference Coach of the Year nine times. He coached 40 All-Americans, one NCAA national champion and a pair of mile-relay teams that claimed second-place finishes in the NCAA. Several of his athletes were participants in the 1984 United States Olympic Trials and the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 1988, Jolly was the head coach of the winning U.S. National Team in a dual meet with Great Britain. He served on the U.S. coaching staff at the 1991 Pan American Games.

In addition to his coaching tenure, Jolly’s association with LU stretch from the period when he was a student-athlete and letterman in track to the five years he spent as director of athletics.