SEATTLE (Aug. 24) ­ Jack Hoyt, a five-time conference coach of the year, has resigned from Seattle Pacific University to accept a position as assistant track & field coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Hoyt had led the Falcon women to 13th in the NCAA Division II outdoor championships and eighth indoors last season, and his teams won a total of five outdoor and indoor conference championships during his six seasons. He succeeded Dr. Ken Foreman as SPU head coach beginning with the 2000 season and also served a total of 10 seasons as one of Foreman's aides.

At Cal Poly SLO, Hoyt will oversee field events for the Division I program. Terry Crawford, a past Olympic team coach and international-class athlete, is in her 14th year as the Mustangs' head coach.

"This is the perfect opportunity for me to continue growing as a coach," said Hoyt, a native of California. "First of all, Terry Crawford is one of the most respected coaches in the nation. She has given me some incredible athletes to work with, a lot of freedom in my coaching, and strong leadership that I want to follow.

"While I am thrilled about this opportunity, I am extremely sorry to leave so many important people behind," Hoyt added. "I have been truly blessed by God to work with so many wonderful athletes and I will really miss the rewarding experiences that we shared."

Under Hoyt, the SPU women won Pacific West Conference outdoor crowns in 2000 and '01, and Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles in 2002 (outdoors), '04 (indoors) and '05 (indoors). The Falcons finished among the NCAA top 20 four times and this past year Danielle Ayers-Stamper was the indoor national champion in the high jump and Chris Randolph was the NCAA men's decathlon winner.

Athletic director Tom Box said a search has already begun. "We realize this a great opportunity for Jack," said Box. "There's no doubt it will take a talented person to fill his shoes."

A former All-American in the decathlon at Seattle Pacific, Hoyt stills holds the school record in the high jump. After winning the U.S. Masters decathlon crown last year, this week he is in Spain for the world championships.