(SAN DIEGO) Longtime PLNU Head Coach and kinesiology faculty member Jerry Arvin has announced that he will be retiring following the spring 2024 track & field season.
 
"Over the past several years it has been harder to physically do all the things I wanted to do as a coach," Arvin said. "After the 2023 season I knew that one more year and I should stop before I couldn't do any of the things that I wanted to do. Without the great assistant coaches that I have had during these years I would have probably retired sooner.
 
"They are an amazing group who work tirelessly to make the girls the best young ladies and best athletes that they can be. I will miss the daily interaction with the ladies and the smiles that they always manage to put on my face."
 
Arvin began his head coaching journey at Point Loma back in 1994 when he was tabbed to lead the PLNU Cross Country programs, which he did until 2022. In 1995, he began serving as head coach of PLNU Men's and Women's Track & Field.
 
"I could not be more thankful to have worked alongside Coach Arvin as a colleague and friend these last several years," Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton said. "I think all coaches aspire to be as highly regarded by their student-athletes as Jerry.  
 
"His efforts and passion for his current and former student-athletes are special. His work ethic has always been remarkable to me, as has his commitment to keeping the mission of the university at the forefront."
 
Arvin has earned several accolades in his storied coaching career. Dating back to Point Loma's days in the NAIA, he is a 13-time Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (1x MXC, 2x WXC, 3x MT&F, 7x WT&F).
 
He was also named the 1994 NAIA Far West Region Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year, while being selected as one of seven NAIA Women's Track & Field West Region Coaches of the Year on five occasions (1999, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008).
 
Arvin then successfully led the PLNU Women's Cross Country and Track & Field into its NCAA era, highlighted by a women's cross country PacWest title in 2018, earning him conference Coach of the Year honors.
 
Throughout his career, he has coached 152 All-Americans in track & field, including 10 national championship performances, in addition to five All-Americans in cross country.

In 1999, Arvin was inducted into the PLNU Athletics Hall of Fame for Outstanding Achievement as a coach.
 
"Point Loma Nazarene University has been my home for the past 37 years," Arvin said. "My time here has been filled with supportive administrators, great faculty members, supportive facilities staff and wonderful students and athletes. I was always blessed.
 
"Wherever we were as a team, as people always complimented me on the character and manners of our team. My reply would always be, 'Yes, we have wonderful young people and this is how we expect them to be.' They never let me down and I will miss being around all of these great Christian young ladies on a daily basis.
 
"If I could I would stay on this campus and with my peers and athletes forever. However, I know that I need to move forward to the next phase of my life in retirement and I do not have any idea what that is going to look like."
 
Arvin said there are too many memories from his time on The Point to list any specifically.
 
"I wish I could list some of the highlights of the past 37 years but if I did that, I would miss so many things and people that filled me with joy and lifted me up to where I always knew I was coaching the best athletes and people anywhere," Arvin said. "I am so grateful that God led me, my wife and two daughters from Indianapolis to San Diego.
 
"We made the move without jobs not knowing what to expect. God provided a coaching opportunity at Point Loma Nazarene College and then a full-time faculty appointment seven years later following the retirement of Dr. Crakes.
 
"This has been an amazing career and I trust and pray that I have done His will. As His servant, He has blessed me far greater than I could ever have imagined."
 
Arvin is looking forward to one final season as Sea Lions head coach.
 
"I think this group of ladies will have an outstanding 2024 season, with the strong leadership and great talent of the gifted seniors and juniors, as well as the wonderful talent that we have from our freshman and sophomore classes," Arvin said. "This is the largest number of ladies that I have ever had on one of my teams and now we just need to make sure we can produce the quality out of all of them.
 
"They are having a great fall training season and I know they are anxious to start competing. Our main goal is to keep them all healthy and getting stronger during the fall."
 
Point Loma's spring season will kick off with the Green, Gold & Old track meet on Feb. 3, where Arvin will be recognized. PLNU Cross Country and Track & Field alumni are encouraged to attend and participate in the event.