Ludwig Retires as Track and Field Coach

Brenau athletics announces the retirement of head track and field coach Rick Ludwig.

As the inaugural coach of the Brenau track and field team, Ludwig led the program to an impressive three straight Southern States Athletic Conference championships, culminating in 2015 with a staggering 244 point margin of victory.

During his tenure, Ludwig has earned three consecutive SSAC Coach of the Year nods and coached over 50 all-conference runners, including three-time SSAC Field Athlete of the Year Dana Cole, two-time SSAC Track Athlete of the Year Deishane' Honeycutt and All-American sprinter Olamide Sokunbi.

"Coach Ludwig has done a phenomenal job of initiating our track and field program and establishing it as one of preeminence in the SSAC," said Athletic Director Mike Lochstampfor. "He will be greatly missed at Brenau as a coach, a colleague and a friend of many. Our best wishes to him in his retirement."

"I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be involved in getting the track and field program up and running," said Ludwig. "The support at Brenau has been phenomenal. We have everything we need to compete on a national level. I will miss everyone very much, especially the athletes. I see the best days of the program ahead."

Ludwig was a long and triple jumper and team captain for the University of Georgia track and field team. As a coach, Ludwig started as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 1976-77, was the head track and field coach at North Hall High School from 1980-85 and stayed involved as a coach with numerous running clubs before being named head coach at Brenau.

Ludwig, who previously retired as a horticulture professor, will be retiring from coaching.