Patrick Heckroth joins the Johnson C. Smith Track and Field team as an assistant coach for the Golden Bulls Track and Field program, working with the sprints and hurdles Heckroth comes to us from Queens University, where he was a volunteer assistant coach. Prior to arriving in Charlotte, Heckroth was the Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach at Northern State University in South Dakota.

"I am extremely excited to be apart of the Track and Field staff here at JCSU", said Heathrock. I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes as they train to become the best in their respective events. I appreciate Coach Johnson in trusting me to continue the success of Golden Bull Track and Field."
 
While at Queens University, Heckroth worked with three student-athletes that earned four NCAA All-American awards in the Women's 60m Hurdles, Long Jump, Pentathlon, and Men's Distance Run Medley. Queens won both the Men's and Women's Indoor SAC Championship in 2020. Heckroth coached four NCAA qualifiers, 13 NCAA Provisional qualifiers, 13 All-Conference performers, & five SAC Champions. The outdoor season was not contested due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Heckroth holds certifications from IAAF Level V Elite and USATF Level 3 for sprints/hurdles/relays, USTFCCCA Specialist (jumps) coach, and ALTIS for Short Sprints and Sprint Hurdles. In his lone season at the helm for Northern State, Heckroth produced two NCAA All-Americans and three NCAA National Qualifiers for the Wolves in 2019. Tanner Berg was a 2^nd team All-American in the Weight throw, and a national qualifier in the Hammer Throw. Hanneke Oosterwegel finished in 4^th place in the 400 Hurdles to claim her All-American Award. Heckroth also produced 12 NCAA Provisional qualifiers, 12 All-Conference selections, two NSIC Champions, four All-Academic teams, four All-Academic individuals, and six school records.
 
Heckroth also spent three seasons at UNC Pembroke and ran the day-to-day operations of the track and field program as the associate head coach. Heckroth mentored Kory Jones to an All-American award in the Long Jump in 2016. During his tenure he produced five NCAA Qualifiers, three All-Academic performers, 31 NCAA provisional qualifiers, 26 school record holders, 12 Peach Belt Conference Champions, and 45 All-Conference selections as the primary coach for the sprints, jumps, and hurdles. Heckroth was named the Southeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018. UNC Pembroke won the 2017 Peach Belt Men's Track and Field Championship, and finished as the conference runner-up in both 2017 (women) and 2018 (men).
 
"Patrick is a highly respected coach who has proven to be successful at his different stops," said Lamont Johnson, head coach of Johnson C. Smith. "His knowledge of the sport will not only make the team better, but the coaching staff better as well. He takes his profession very seriously, has a great relationship with everyone he's been in contact with. There's nothing but glowing praise from all those coach Heckroth has worked with. He's definitely a game changing asset to the Golden Bulls track and field program."
 
Heckroth began his career as a volunteer assistant coach, working with the sprints, jumps, and hurdles, at Fresno State from 2011-13. He helped develop three USA Junior National Qualifiers in the 400 hurdles, seven NCAA Division I Preliminary round qualifiers, two Mountain West Conference champions and numerous all-conference selections.
 
Heckroth then moved on to spend two seasons as the assistant coach at Valparaiso University as the primary sprints and hurdles coach and recruiting coordinator. He mentored one student-athlete to the Horizon League title, while his sprinters and hurdlers also shattered four school records and establish 26 top-five program marks.
 
Heckroth is a 2011 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Movement and Exercise Science. He was a member of the track and field program, specializing in the 400 hurdles. Heckroth also holds a Master of Arts in Sport Psychology from California State University, Fresno and Master of Science in Sport Administration from Valparaiso University.