VERMILLION, S.D. — Four-time North Central Conference (NCC) Cross Country Coach of the Year (2002-05), Rob Kinnunen ('81) led the University of South Dakota cross country teams to a combined 14 NCAA Championships appearances and captured four-straight NCC women's titles.
 
Having two stints as the cross country coach at UD from 1982-84 and again from 2002-08. He guided the women's team to a ninth-place finish at the 2007 national meet, the third-best finish in program history. It was the third time since 2003 that USD had finished in the top-10 at the national meet.  
 
A 1981 graduate of the University of South Dakota, Kinnunen was an All-American cross country runner for the Coyotes in the late 1970s. Originally of Sault Ste. Mario, Ontario, Canada, he was an NCC record holder and won the 10,000 meters in 1980. Kinnunen briefly left the coaching profession in 1984 to train for the Olympic marathon.
 
Kinnunen is being recognized posthumously after passing away last fall to a hard-fought battle with cancer. He shared his life with his wife of 39 years, Deb, and their three children, Justin, Kelsi and Kip. Kinnunen's wife and children fondly remember attending track meets and practices while he coached at USD. His family misses his quick wit, mischievous smile, and the way he always pushed them to be their best.
 
Tickets are now available for the Hall of Fame dinner on Friday, September 27 at 6:00 p.m. inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center (SCSC). Follow the link above to purchase tickets, limited number of tickets are available.
 
Throughout the month of September leading up to the Hall of Fame dinner on Friday, September 27 a member of the 2024 class will be spotlighted.