Central College has added a pair of big additions to their already powerful track and field program. Veteran Northern State University track and field coaches Jim Fuller and Brenda Fuller are joining the Dutch staff.

Jim Fuller, who was Northern State’s head men’s and women’s track and field coach for the past 24 years, becomes Central’s associate head coach. His wife, Brenda Fuller, the program’s throwing events coach during that span, will serve as an assistant at Central. During the Fullers’ 24 seasons, Northern State has placed in the top 35 in the nation 20 times.

Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Northern State was formerly an NAIA institution but is now in the NCAA Division II. Jim Fuller was also the Wolves’ cross country coach for 16 seasons. During his tenure, Northern State has placed in the top four in 99 of 127 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship track and cross country meets, winning six titles. He was named the NSIC coach of the year six times in track and five times in cross country, helping 815 athletes earn all-conference awards. Fuller’s athletes have received all-America distinction 54 times.

Brenda has coached 12 throwers who earned all-America honors, including a two-time national champ. She was tabbed as the USTFCCCA Division II Central Region assistant coach of the year in 2009. Her athletes have captured 74 NSIC throwing event titles.

The new positions at Central pull the Fuller family closer together geographically. Their son, Aaron, is a senior on the Central track and field squad, and son Tyler is a senior at Simpson College; while a third son – six-year-old Drew – is at home.