R.I. Track & Field Foundation
Bob Gourley, a
longtime throws coach and official, today was presented the Ken Warren Award
for Leadership’’ at the annual conference of the National Throws Coaches Assoc.
in Dublin, Ohio. Gourley was recognized by the organization for his
“outstanding dedication and commitment to the throwing events’’.
A Barrington resident,
Gourley has been associated for more than three decades with the weight events,
both indoor and spring track seasons. He serves as throws coach at Barrington
High School, and has guided numerous prep All-American hammer and weight throw
athletes, including defending United States weight throw titlist Adam Kelly, a
senior from Barrington High.
Gourley is a regular attendee
at national clinics, conferences and training events. He’s officiated numerous
National Scholastic championships meets, both indoors with the weight throw,
and outdoors with the hammer, and is nationally recognized for maintaining
weight and hammer performance lists.
Gourley has been inducted
into the R.I. Coaches Assoc. Hall of Fame, and has received awards as USATF New
England Official of the Year and the National Scholastic Service
Award. A Hope High School graduate, he was an Air Force veteran and
recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.