Jeff Chakouian enters his second year as the Illinois State track and field staff assistant coach for the throwers. In his first season with the Redbirds, every thrower who competed at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships had a personal-best. In particular, junior Samantha Springer scored in three throwing events at the State Farm MVC Outdoor Conference Championships and is ranked third among all ISU throwers in the discus and hammer.

Prior to Illinois State, Chakouian amassed an impressive resume of national and international competitive experience. A native of Seekonk, Mass., Chakouian was a six-time all-American in the shot put while a member of the track and field team at Kentucky. Chakouian, who received his undergraduate degree in education kinesiology and health promotions from Kentucky in May 2005, was a five-time Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion, an eight-time all-SEC selection in the shot put and was a team captain for three seasons.

Chakouian has competed in numerous international competitions in over a dozen countries, finishing in fifth place at the Junior World Championships (Santiago, Chile) in 2000, placing first at the Junior Pan American Games (Sante Fe, Argentina) in 2001, while being ranked No. 6 all-time on the Jr. World Shot Put List.

A product of Seekonk High School, Chakouian was a junior national champion in both the shot put and discus in 2001 as well as being elected team captain of the USA versus Great Britain Junior World Tour. In 2006, Chakouian placed fifth at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, as his throw at was the 17th-farthest throw in the world.

Chakouian also has gained experience in the coaching ranks as a volunteer assistant coach at both Kentucky and Brown. While at Kentucky (March-Oct. 2006), Chakouian assisted the men's and women's track teams in technique sessions, developed workouts and assisted weight training. He helped coach one SEC Champion and four SEC All-Conference performers.

During his tenure at Brown (August 2005-March 2006), Chakouian assisted both the men's and women's track and field teams by helping develop training and workout sessions. He coached one Ivy League Champion and two Ivy League All-Conference athletes.

Chakouian holds certification as a personal trainer by the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) and is currently working towards getting his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification. He has also contributed his time to the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Clinic the past two years as a guest speaker and clinician and was inducted into the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007.