IRVINE, Calif. - Greg Charles has announced his retirement after 20 years as a volunteer assistant coach with the UC Irvine track & field program.
 
"Greg has been a tremendous inspiration within our program for two decades," UCI head coach Jeff Perkins said. "His energy and passion for the sport and for the pole vault is unmatched. Greg has mentored so many over the years with his infectious personality and calm demeanor. We will truly miss seeing him out there coaching, but always know he will be a passionate, committed Anteater fan. Thank you, Greg, for everything you've done and all that you are."
 
Charles served as UCI's pole vault coach, mentoring numerous All-Big West performers, including Erin Curtis, who was the 2004 conference champion in the women's pole vault. Curtis, Kristen Loftin and Nick Jennings also advanced to the NCAA West Regional meet under his tutelage. In addition, all of the top-10 women's outdoor pole vault marks in program history have been established since Charles' arrival at UCI in 2001.
 
Charles' roots in coaching began while he was still in high school working for the City of Torrance where he taught track & field to elementary school students. He went on to assist at South Torrance High School in 1985-86, coaching the pole vault, high jump and hurdles. Prior to coming to UC Irvine, Charles coached locally at Woodbridge HS and University HS.
 
As a high school and college standout himself, Charles was the California AAU age-group champion and a Junior Olympics finalist in the pole vault. Following a successful junior college and NCAA Division I career he went on to become a 19-time USATF Masters All-American, and won three USATF National Masters Championships.