Virginia Track and Field Adds Danny Laufer to Staff

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Nov. 5, 2004

Virginia head track and field coach Randy Bungard has announced that Danny Laufer has joined the track and field staff as an assistant coach. Laufer, who comes to Virginia from Loyola University in Chicago, will work primarily with the jumpers on the Cavaliers squads.

While at Loyola, Laufer was instrumental in the growth and development of the field event athletes, including a pair of women who both won conference titles and set conference meet records in their first year of competition. Both of them qualified for the USA Junior National meet. During his four-year stint at Loyola, Laufer coached 23 conference champions and has helped athletes set 24 school records. In addition, three of Laufer’s protégés have earned Newcomer of the Year awards and two others have earned Athlete of the Meet honors.

Prior to working at Loyola, Laufer served as the head track and field coach at the University of Texas-Pan American. While with the Broncs, Laufer coached the first NCAA qualifier in over 10 years at the school and also had an All-American develop in the program. In addition, eight of his athletes set 14 school records at UTPA.

Laufer started his collegiate coaching career at Wagner College in Staten Island where he helped guide the Seahawks to the conference championships. While at Wagner, Laufer began working on his MBA with a concentration in finance.

Laufer is a USATF Certified Instructor, with Level III certification in the throws and jumps as well as Level II certification in combined events as well as sprints/hurdles. He is a 1994 graduate of Manhattan College. While competing for the Jaspers, Laufer won a conference title in the pole vault.

“Dan’s knowledge and expertise covers many event areas,” said Bungard. “He will add a new dimension to our staff that will help us achieve our team and departmental goals. I look forward to working with Dan as we strive to become a major presence at the ACC and National level.”