June 22, 2000

CHAMPAIGN, IL. - University of Illinois Men's Track and Field Coach Gary Wieneke announced this afternoon the hiring of assistant coach Erin Tucker. Tucker, who was previously a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Florida, will be in charge of Illini sprinters, hurdlers, and sprint relays teams. He begins his duties July 15.

"We feel fortunate to have hired someone that is widely considered one of the best up-and-coming coaches in America," said Wieneke. "Erin brings youth, enthusiasm, and a vast technical knowledge of sprints and hurdles to the table."

Tucker was a four-year letterwinner at Florida from 1995 through 1999, where he was a four-time Southeastern Conference champion and five-time All-American. His primary event was the 400-meter hurdles, where he was crowned an SEC Champion in 1998. Tucker was also a superb quarter-miler, running on three conference championship teams and four All-America mile relay teams. He served as Gator team captain from 1997 through 1999 and was twice named Academic All-SEC.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Tucker was a 1994 graduate of Uniondale High School. He ran on two national championship relay teams at Uniondale, the 1993 4x200-meter relay and 1994 4x400-meter relay.

Tucker earned a bachelor's degree in history from Florida in 1998, and is scheduled to complete his masters degree work in secondary education in August.

Tucker takes over the position vacated by associate head coach Willie Williams, who is retiring after 18 seasons on the Illini staff.