Elvis Forde is no stranger to success on the track and field circuit. A former all-American and conference coach of the year, Forde's years of experience, both running on the track and shaping student-athletes off it, has proven that he knows how to push programs to a higher level.

Forde enters his sixth season as Illinois State's track and field head coach. The native of St. Andrew, Barbados, is committed to bringing championships back to Illinois State in the newest chapter of Redbird track and field history.

The 2007 track and field season proved to be a trying year for Forde, as the Redbirds were overwhelmed by injury and lack of depth, stretching them thin in all areas of competition. The women's team finished the indoor conference season in fourth place and fell to sixth place during the outdoor season. The men's team finished in sixth-place in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.

"Injury was our biggest problem last year," said Forde. "The Missouri Valley Conference is tough, and at the conference championships we were really plagued by injury on the men's and women's sides. Most of our points were earned by the sprinters, which showed how our team is unbalanced. This year, we have brought in quality distance runners and throwers to even out the team."

Entering the 2007-08 season, the Redbirds look to overcome last season's struggles and start fresh. The squad lost only four seniors to graduation and will bring in over 35 new student-athletes, with the newcomers comprising almost half of the 2007-08 team roster.

"This is our best recruiting class at Illinois State, for a couple of reasons," said Forde. "First, the large number of student-athletes we are bringing in, and secondly, the quality of the athletes. I am excited to see what they can do. Some of these kids will have to mature quickly, and I believe that they will because they are competitive.

"I think our strong recruiting class is a testament to the strength of our staff," said Forde. "This is the first year that I have really had the opportunity to work with coach Tim Thompson, coach Jeff Bovee and coach Jeff Chakouian. They have really done a great job not only recruiting, but putting Illinois State track and field and cross country out on the market. They have talked to high school coaches and student-athletes, and are really pushing the program in the right direction and have brought an air of excitement and championship feel to the program."

Forde took over the helm of Illinois State track and field program on July 29, 2002, after a successful 13-year stint as head track and field/cross country coach at Austin Peay State. Forde was just as successful during his collegiate running days, becoming a four-time NCAA All-American, two-time National Amateur Champion and a member of the 1984 and 1988 Barbados Olympic teams.

Forde's collegiate career began at Murray State and finished at Southern Illinois. He earned multiple all-America awards while running for the Salukis. In 1984, Forde was a member of Southern Illinois' 1,600-meter relay team that set the NCAA record in both the indoor (3:07.15) and outdoor (3:00.78) competitions. As a senior, Forde was named Southern Illinois' Outstanding Student-Athlete.

After his college career, Forde became a member of the national team for his native Barbados and competed in the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympiad. In both 1986 and 1987, he won the National Indoor Championships at 600 yards. He still holds the Barbados' national team record in the 400-meter dash.

His determination and drive was what pushed him into the national spotlight from 1982-88. Forde's individual accomplishments during those years paid off in 1995, when he was inducted into the Southern Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame. According to Forde, it was a unique honor since he was a Saluki for just two years.

"When you think of all the great athletes that have gone to Southern Illinois and spent four years there, it is humbling because I wasn't even there for four years," said Forde.

Forde has enjoyed continued success during his coaching career, having been named the 2001 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year while at Austin Peay State. During his time at APSU, he coached four academic all-Americans, an NCAA Outdoor All-American, an OVC Indoor Female Co-Athlete of the Year, an OVC Indoor Track and Field Female Athlete of the Year and an OVC Outdoor Track and Field Female Athlete of the Year.

Forde sees a lot of work ahead for the Illinois State track and field program, but remains confident that the program is heading upward. He is optimistic because of his strong staff, quality returning student-athletes and a strong recruiting class.

"We want our athletes to understand what it takes to be a champion," Forde said. "Our athletes have to develop a desire to train hard and make a commitment to doing the things we ask of them.

"That means lifting weights, taking care of themselves and because we're in an academic environment, being successful in the classroom. We're not going to expect anything less."

Forde and his wife, Beverley, and their two children reside in Normal, Ill. His daughter, Chanté, attends Heartland Community College, and son Kevin attends University High School.