David Pickett

In his time with the Raiders, the program won three individual Patriot League titles, advanced two student-athletes to the NCAA East Regional, and broke several long-standing school records, including a 20-year old record in the men's 4x100m relay. Under his guidance, the sprinters and hurdlers scored in a number of events at the 2023 Patriot League Outdoor Championships, leading to the best team finishes in over a decade. Three sprinters were also named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team.

On the recruiting trail, Pickett helped secure two of the top recruiting classes in program history. Two of his recruits, Clare Gillis and Sara Tabibian, set school records as true freshmans in the 200m and 400m hurdles, respectively.

Prior to Colgate, Pickett enjoyed a four-year stint at North Greenville, working with the sprints, hurdles, and jumps. He was voted by his peers as the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019.

While at North Greenville, Pickett’s student-athletes collected 13 All-American honors, 14 individual Conference Carolinas titles, and four USTFCCCA All-Academic honors. In 2019, he guided a men’s 4x100 relay team to Division II National Runner-Up and mentored two sprinters to USTFCCCA Southeast Region Athlete of the Year awards. 21 school records were broken, as well, on his watch between 2018-2020.

Those Regional Athletes of the Year, JJ Sherman and Tevin Richardson, garnered 10 combined All-Americas. Pickett developed Sherman to personal bests in the 60m (6.68), 100m (10.32) and 200m (20.99), while Richardson posted bests in the 200m (20.81) and 400m (46.56). He coached NGU Hall of Fame inductee, Shekinah Wilder, to become the program’s first female national qualifier and helped Wilder eclipsed the 12-meter barrier in the triple jump.

His coaching experience also includes stops at Milligan and East Tennessee State. In addition to his collegiate experience, he’s worked on the professional level with US Olympic Medalist and World Champion, Manteo Mitchell. Mitchell earned a silver medal at the London Olympic Games as a member of the United States’ 4x400 relay team.

A native of Arden, NC, Pickett graduated from UNC Asheville in 2010 where he was a member of the track team, competing in the sprints. He earned a master's degree in Kinesiology and Sport Management at East Tennessee State in 2013.