ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the retirement of long-time men's cross country and track & field head coach Jim Nichols.

"Jim Nichols has provided excellent leadership for our men's cross country and track and field program for decades," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79. "Ithaca College has benefited from his passion, commitment, and expertise for many years. We are eternally grateful for his leadership."
 
Nichols served as the head coach of men's track & field for 38 years and completed his 32nd season as head coach of cross country in the 2023-24 academic year. Nichols was also the women's track & field head coach for nine seasons.

"I want to thank our college administration, Susan Bassett and our athletic administration and all the coaches, assistant coaches, volunteer coaches, athletic staff members past and present along with the thousands of student-athletes who I have worked with over the years," said Nichols.

"I would like to thank Bob Deming for trusting and hiring me back in the summer of 1986 to work with the legends of our Ithaca College Athletic Department family; Bill 'Wally' Ware, Jim Butterfield, Doris Kostrinsky, George Valesente, Tim Faulkner, Paula Miller and Andrea Golden to name just a few."

Under Nichols, the Bombers won 17 conference indoor and 17 conference outdoor championships, including both during a seven-year span from 2007 to 2014. In cross country, Ithaca claimed 10 conference championships since 1992. Nichols earned multiple Empire 8, Liberty League, NYSCTC and Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors. Most recently, he earned Liberty League Coach of the Year honors for the 2021 outdoor season.

The Bombers posted one of their best seasons in program history during the 2021-22 indoor season, as IC placed sixth in the nation. Jalen Leonard-Osbourne became the program's first-ever national champion in the 60-meter dash, while Andy Frank, Dom Mikula and Luke Tobia were All-Americans. Mikula would claim the program's second national title in 2023 as a pole vaulter.

The Ithaca men's cross country team qualified for the NCAA championships seven times during his career.

Nichols coached his track & field student-athletes to 105 All-America finishes at Ithaca (61 male and 44 female), while the cross country program earned eight All-America honors.

"Coach Nichols always put his student-athletes first.  He is a selfless leader and an excellent teammate in our department over these many years. We wish him all the best in the future. He's a true Bomber", Bassett continued.

"It's been my honor and pleasure to represent Ithaca College over the past 38 years. I'm now looking forward to spending more time with my family and starting the next chapter of my life," Nichols concluded.

A search for the next men's cross country and track & field head coach will begin immediately.