If you're going to talk about track and field in Iowa, you're going to talk about Natasha Kaiser Brown. Brown was a Roosevelt High School (Des Moines) standout before heading to an immensely successful career at the University of Missouri and at the professional level.
By the end of her career, Brown had amassed eight Drake Relays titles, six NCAA All-America awards, three World Championship medals, and one silver medal at the 1992 Olympic Games.
After retiring from competition, Brown fixed her attention on coaching. She returned to Des Moines in 2001 and accepted the position of Head Track & Field Coach at Drake.
Now midway through her 15
th year as head coach, Brown uses her past success and experience to help motivate and prepare her athletes to excel in the classroom, competition and life.
The indoor track and field season is underway, and Brown has high hopes and big plans for her small but talented squad. "I'm excited, we're in such a great spot physically and mentally, and every meet we are gaining more and more confidence," Brown said.
Brown has worked had to instill the importance of the Bulldog Way in her team. She believes the Bulldog Way is a large part of what makes Drake and its student-athletes unique and successful, "The team dynamics have changed, and our athletes are learning about the Bulldog Way and latching on to it," Brown said, "I've coached at other places where people come there to the school to be an athlete. At Drake, our athletes come to be the best they can be in the classroom and in competition."
Brown also believes that Drake sets student-athletes up to reach their full potential, "What makes Drake special is that you have a world class staff around you who have been to the level you want to reach. In athletics, you're surrounded by Olympians and World Champions on staff," Brown said, "But at the same time, in class, if you're trying to be the CEO, then you have people who have been there as well."
Brown's current and former athletes are already well on their way to realizing their academic and athletic potential, thanks to the overall experience offered to them at Drake.
Drake Track & Field Success Under Brown:- 40+ School Records
- 10+ NCAA National Championship Qualifiers
- 15+ Missouri Valley Conference Individual Champions
- 12th Highest GPA in the Nation for NCAA Div. 1 Track & Field in 2015
- 7 of the last 16 Elite 18 Awards for Athletic and Academic Success
