Gwen Harris, a DSU graduate, returned to her alma mater after serving 11 years as head women’s track and field coach at the University of Pennsylvania. She was just the second coach in Quakers’ women’s track and field program history.
Prior to being appointed head coach at Penn, Harris served as head coach of the James Madison University women’s track and field program for 17 years.
Her duties as a track and field liaison extend far beyond coaching, as she has been a member of numerous committees, This includes Chair of the NCAA National Championships in Eugene, Ore., in 2001. Harris, who has been a member of the NCAA Track and Field Committee since 1999, also served as president of the Eastern Collegiate Track and Field Association in 1998. After serving as vice president in 2002, she was reappointed to serve as president in 2003.
Harris graduated from Delaware State in 1974. Though there were no recognized women's varsity sports at the time she attended the University, she lettered all four years as a member of the basketball, softball, field hockey, and track and field club teams. In track and field, Harris ran in various events, including the 75 meters, 100 meters and 220 meters, as well as the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. She also made several regional teams in field hockey and track and field.
Immediately following her graduation from Delaware State, Harris coached at Caesar Rodney High School in Delaware. She helped lead the program to four state championships and three conference titles during her six years with the school.
Harris went on to receive her master’s in Higher Education from James Madison in 1982. Harris holds Level I (1989) and Level II (1993) certificates from the USA Track and Field Coaching Education School.
For her accomplishments over the past 20 years, Harris was inducted into the Delaware African-American Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Delaware State University Athletics Hall of Fame in Oct. 2010.
In addition, she was a member of the inaugural Delaware State University Diamond Extravaganza class in 2010. “Delaware Diamonds” are recognized for their outstanding contributions to women's sports and education in the First State.
Harris serves as Director of Delaware State University's summer All-Sports Camp.
