BLUE LIGHTNING TRACK CLUB COACHING STAFF

The Blue Lightning Track Club’s coaches are passionate about developing youth athletes.  Collectively, we bring more than 60 years of combined youth, collegiate, national and international track and field experience to the team. We are comprised of National Champions, National Record Holders, NCAA All-Americans, Collegiate Conference Champions, High School State Champions, Regional Champions, MVP Award Recipients, and Sports Hall of Famers.

Professionally, we are business owners, consultants, managers, educators, counselors, human resources professionals, community advocates, and project managers.

Our coaching staff includes USATF Certified coaches, full athletic scholarship recipients, and graduates from top academic and athletic programs in the United States. 

Our coaches are consummate students of track and field and the latest coaching techniques for improving the sport. In addition to exposing youth to the exciting world of track and field and the latest training fundamentals for speed, strength, and endurance, we emphasize a positive and motivational team environment.  Mentoring is an essential part of our coaching philosophy. We focus on developing a Champion’s mindset within each athlete and bringing out their best on the track, in the classroom, and most importantly, in their communities.    As recent evidence of the effectiveness of our coaching philosophy, more than 90% of Blue Lightning Track Club athletes qualified for the AAU National Junior Olympics in 2017, and 100% were academic honor students.

We invite you to review our coaching staff through the profiles below.

Note: Our coaches are background-screened by USA Track and Field and AAU associations, and SafeSport Certified.

Steve Strother, Head Coach / Sprints (100-200-400), 800 / Relays

Steve Strother is the Head Coach and founder of the Blue Lightning Track Club, Certified Vertimax Speed Trainer, and Certified Double-Goal Coach with the Positive Coaching Alliance. He brings tremendous experience and skill to youth athletes.

Coach Strother was inducted into the New Rochelle, N.Y., sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a 4-time NCAA Track and Field All-American, 11-time All-SEC Sprinter, and SEC Champion. His team won four SEC Championships during his Auburn athletic career.

The Auburn University profiled Coach Strother to represent their School of Arts and Sciences to potential Auburn students and recruits.

Strother’s Track & Field Experience
– 2013-Present – Head Coach of Blue Lightning Track Club – Sprints / 400m / Relays.
– 1980 SEC Indoor Championships 4×400, 1st Place (Auburn Univ, 1st leg).
– 1980 SEC Indoor Championships 400m, 3rd Place (Auburn Univ).
– 1979 NCAA National Outdoor Championships, 2nd Place 4×100 (Auburn Univ, 3rd leg).
– 1979 NCAA National Qualifier in 200 Meters.
– 1978 Drake Relays 4×100 Meters Champion 1-st place (Auburn Univ, 2nd leg).
– 1979 Top 6 200 Meters SEC Championships (20.48).
– 1978 NCAA National Indoor Championships, 3rd Place 4x400m (Auburn Univ).
– 1978 NCAA National 400m Qualifier for Indoor Championships (Auburn Univ).
– 1978 Eastern Tennessee Invitational, 1st Place 400m (Auburn Univ).

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– 1978 Eastern Tennessee Invitational, 2nd Place 4x400m (Auburn Univ, 3rd leg).
– 1978 Millrose Games 2nd Place 4×400 (Auburn Univ 3rd leg).
– 1978 Vitalis Olympic Invitational 2nd Place 4×400 (Auburn Univ 3rd leg).
– 1980 SEC Team Champions 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980.
– 1976 Eastern States H.S. Championships, 1st place 60-yard dash (New Rochelle H.S., Junior).
– 1976 New York State H.S. State Championships, 1st place 300-yard dash (New Rochelle H.S., Junior).
– 1976 New York State H.S. State Championships, 2nd place 60-yard dash (New Rochelle H.S., Junior).
– 1975 New York State H.S. State Championships, 1st place 880-yard Relay dash (New Rochelle H.S., Soph, Anchor).
– 1975 New York State H.S. State Championships, 2nd place 100-yard dash (New Rochelle H.S., Soph).
– 1975 New York State H.S. State Championships, 2nd place 60-yard dash (New Rochelle H.S., Soph).

Auburn University in Auburn, AL.
B.A., Psychology
1977-1982

Coach Sierra Calhoune (Hurdles, Jumps, Sprints)

About Coach Calhoun

– Mother (2-year-old son & 9-year-old daughter)
– Her husband coaches basketball at Newton HS and on the AAU circuit.
– Hometown: Jacksonville, Fl.
– University of North Florida Alumni.
– Competed for UNF in the heptathlon 2009-2012.
– Event expertise (Shot Put, Javelin, Discus, Hurdles, Sprints, Jumps, 400)
– Head Girls Coach Track and field 2014-2018 Edward H. White High School
– Head Girls Weightlifting coach 2015-2018 Edward H White High School
– Newton High Assistant Track Coach 2021-Current

Coach “D” Rodrick David (Throws, Sprints, Relays)

I am Coach David, Level 1 Certified USATF Coach, retired marine of 20 years, originally from Brooklyn NY. I’ve coached for 26 years, 16 has been with youth athletes. In the military I have coached track, basketball, flag and  8 man football.  

I am well rounded in most track and field events and have coached on two USATF clubs before starting my own team in North Carolina in 2017. In high school, I competed in cross country, 100, 200, 400, 4×200 and long jump. I have numerous coaching training certifications and camps under my belt, including for the Military Para Olympics in Colorado Springs in Wounded Warrior Program. 

In high school, I competed in cross country, 100, 200, 400, 4×200, and the long jump.

I coach for the love I have for track and field and being able to teach and train young people to be the best version of themselves and becoming an asset to society. I have coached athletes from just achieving their personal best to becoming USATF All Americans.

I look forward to coaching your Champion!

Coach D

Coach Chad King (400, 800, 1500)

About Coach King

I am Coach King.  I’ve been an educator for the past 17 years.  I participated in track in high school: long jump, 400m, 4×400, and 4×100.  I coached youth athletes (basketball) for over 10 years.  Track and field have always been a joy for me to be a part of. I am excited to pass along a love for running while instilling confidence in young athletes to be put forth the best they have to offer.  Alumni of Fort Valley State University.

Coach Tony Harley (Long Jump, Hurdles)

About Coach Tony

Coach Tony has been coaching track and field for the past 5 years, and youth football 10 years.  Coach Tony  participated in the 100mH, 300mH, long jump, and 4x100m relay.  Coach Tony expects the best from each student athlete, providing them with the confidence and encouragement to excel past their potential.

Education

Florida State University alumni graduate with degree in psychology.

Coach “G’ Garfield White (400, 800)

About Coach “G”

Coming soon!

Coach Madelyn “Maddy” Bright (Jumps, Throws, Hurdles, 800)

200, 800, 100 M Hurdles, Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin, Shot Put

Originally from Mississippi, Coach Bright joined the Blue Lightning Track Club coaching staff in the Spring of 2021 and is well-liked by teammates and parents.  She immediately made an impact after her arrival by coaching a long jumper to an AAU Regional Championship and Junior Olympic Birth.   Coach Bright competed at the University of Montevallo in Alabama and will soon compete at Emmanuel College here in Georgia! She is a heptathlete, meaning she does the 100 hurdles, 800, 200 dashes, long jump, high jump, shot put, and javelin. She was the team captain for two years at the University of Montevallo.

She holds the high jump record at the University of Montevallo at the height of 1.65m.
She plans to become a college track and field coach right out of college.

Education

The University of Montevallo in Alabama
Team Captain
All-Conference
Athlete of The Month (twice)