Eric Houle (athletics coach)

Eric Houle (born February 23, 1957) is an American NCAA Division I (D-I) coach and mentor. 2022 marks Houle's 31st year as the Head Coach of the Track & Field and Cross Country teams at Southern Utah University (SUU) in Cedar City, UT. In addition to his head coaching responsibilities, Coach Houle organizes annual distance running and developmental camps to develop student-athletes at all levels. Coach Houle has also directed collegiate and High School track and field competitions to provide quality venues where athletes can compete and bring attention and spectators to the sport.
== Life and career ==
=== Early life ===
Born in Helena, Montana, Eric was one of eleven kids. Eric’s father, Martin J. Houle, graduated from Carroll College in Helena, MT, with a BS in Chemistry and pursued a graduate degree at Montana State University. After Martin, Eric’s father earned his MS in biochemistry, he worked as a Chemist and moved the Houle family to Dugway, UT. Eric attended Dugway High School in Dugway, UT, and joined the Track and Cross Country teams. Eric quickly became competitive and, during his junior and senior high school years, won the Utah 1A state championship. Eric was offered a scholarship, attended Southern Utah University, and was a student-athlete on the Track and Field and Cross Country teams before SUSC became Southern Utah University (SUU). While attending SUSC, Eric was elected student body president and met his college sweetheart Diane, and they decided to get married in the Catholic church. After graduating, they both moved to the beautiful city of Salt Lake City, UT, where Diane pursued an Elementary Education degree. Eric began his early coaching career as the Head Coach for Judge Memorial Catholic High School, located in the heart of Salt Lake City, UT.
== NCAA Division 1 coaching ==
=== Head coach at Southern Utah University ===
While coaching at Southern Utah University, Coach Houle has won one List of NCAA Division I institutions Mountain Regional Cross Country Championship and 43 Team Conference Championships and coached the two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and Canadians long-distance runner Cam Levins.
== High school coaching ==
=== Head coach at Judge Memorial Catholic High School ===
Before taking the NCAA Division I Head coaching position at Southern Utah University, Eric Houle was an educator and Coach (sport) the track and field and Cross country running teams at Judge Memorial Catholic High School to three State championships from 1982 to 1992.
== Awards & Achievements ==
=== Coaching record ===
* 1 NCAA DI Mountain Region Cross Country Championship (1999)
* 2 NCAA DI Individual Championships
* 2 Top 5 Individual Finishes at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships
* 2012 The Bowerman Award Winner Cam Levins (Southern Utah University)
* 2012 London Olympics Qualifier Cam Levins
=== Awards ===
* 2021 Big Sky Conference Cross country running Coach (sport) of the Year
* 2018 Big Sky Conference Women’s Cross country running Coach Coach of the Year
* 2015 Big Sky Conference Men’s Cross country running of the Year
* Southern Utah University Coaching Factory Hall of Fame
* Utah Summer Games Hall of Honor
* University Board of Trustee Award
Category:1957 births
Category:People from Iron County, Utah
Category:Sports coaches
Category:Athletics (track and field) coaches