BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech track and field coach Bob Phillips was named Team USA Pole Vault Coach for the 31st Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China to be held in 2021.
I'm excited for the opportunity to coach for Team USA at next Summer's World University Games in China," pole vault coach Bob Phillips said. "It is always rewarding to work with up and coming U.S. vaulters and it will be both fun and challenging to do so on that stage."
It was another impressive year for Phillips and his vault group during the 2019-2020 season as he helped junior Rachel Baxter claim her second consecutive ACC indoor pole vault title, while on the men's side, Harrison Rice won a bronze medal. Baxter also set a new indoor school record and finished the season with the No. 2 mark in the country with her leap of 4.53 meters (14 feet, 10.25 inches).
In his 37 years coaching at Virginia Tech, the former Hokie All-American has developed quite the reputation as a pole vaulter coach. During his time, Phillips has coached 17 student-athletes to 49 All-American honors and has turned the vault program at Virginia Tech into arguably the best in the ACC and among the best in the nation.
The World University Games are organized by the International University Sports Federation and held every other year. The event, which features 18 sports, is open to men and women between the ages of 17 and 24 who are currently or have been in the past year a student at a college or university.
The event begins with the opening ceremony on August 18th and will carry on through the 29th, 2021.