HILLSBORO, Kan. – Tabor College Director of Athletics, Jeff Brewer has announced that Aaron Yoder has been named Director of Cross Country and Track and Field and Assistant Athletic Director. Coach Yoder comes to Tabor after serving as the Head Track and Field and Head Cross Country Coach at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., since 2013 (Cross Country) and 2015 (Track). Before being named head coach, he also served as an assistant for both programs for three years. 

"We are excited to announce Aaron Yoder as our new Director of Track and Field and Cross Country and Assistant Athletic Director", stated Brewer. "Coach Yoder brings with him 16 years of experience and a proven track record. He has a true heart for Track and Field and Cross Country and the student-athletes."

"I am very grateful to Tabor College for this opportunity to guide and coach student athletes within the Track and Field and Cross Country program", remarked Yoder.  "I want to thank the Tabor Athletic Department and Jeff Brewer for giving me a chance to serve in this capacity.  I am excited to see how God uses this position to influence young adults who are shaping our future both in and outside the walls of Tabor."

Yoder brings a wealth of experience to Tabor, having coached two national qualifiers and four All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) top 20 medalists on the Cross Country side, as well as mentoring one school-recordholder in the 6k. Academically, Yoder's Women's Cross Country team at Bethany earned the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Scholar Team Award for their efforts in the classroom during the 2018-19 season.

Prior to being named the Swedes' Head Track and Field Coach in the fall of 2015, he coached one NAIA National qualifier, two conference champions, and mentored one KCAC recordholder and five school recordholders in his time as an assistant with the program. During that time, the team earned one KCAC Team of Character Award.

After taking the reins of the program, the Swedes saw unprecedented success under Yoder's leadership, boasting 31 NAIA National qualifiers and 15 individual KCAC champions. Five student-athletes were named NAIA All-Americans under Yoder, while three were named KCAC Athletes of the Year. 26 school records were broken and set during his tenure, one conference record was broken, and two student-athletes finished as NAIA National finalists.

Perhaps one of the biggest successes of Yoder's career at Bethany might be the 18 KCAC Team of Character Awards earned by both the Swede Cross Country and Track and Field programs.

A native of Peabody, Kan., Yoder's return to the area might be somewhat of a homecoming story, as he attended Hillsboro schools and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 2004. Aaron was a standout athlete for the Trojans, winning the KSHSAA 3A State title in the mile his senior year, and competing on two 3A State Championship teams during his high school career. Following high school, he made the jump to Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan. and ran for the Cross Country and Track and Field programs there for five years. During his Tiger career, he earned one Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) All-Conference nod in Cross Country, one All-Conference selection in Indoor Track and Field, and four All-Conference Selections in Outdoor Track and Field. 

Yoder graduated from FHSU in 2009 with his bachelor's degree in health and human performance with an emphasis in Health Promotions and Wellness and a minor in Business Administration and completed his master's degree in Sport and Movement Studies in December of 2010.

Outside of collegiate coaching, he provides private coaching at the high school, college, and master's level and has coached at the Jim Ryun Running Camps for over 20 years. Yoder has also served at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Peabody, Kan. as a lay minister.

In addition to his accomplishments as a coach, Yoder has held Guiness World Records in the backwards 200m, 1000m, and mile, and won World Championships in several backwards events including the 4x400m relay, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, and the marathon.

"I am excited to work with the staff and Coaches of Tabor College as we collectively strive to bring up leaders who will shine at TC and beyond", said Yoder.

Brewer echoed Yoder's sentiments, "Aaron is a positive addition to the programs, the athletic department, Tabor College and the Hillsboro community. He is a great fit and I am looking forward to working with him"

Yoder arrives on campus in June and is eager to begin working with the athletes.

Be sure to stay up to date with all information regarding Bluejay Athletics by following us on X at @gotaborbluejays, on Instagram and Facebook @taborbluejays, and on our official athletic website, taborbluejays.com.

Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).