Cal State LA Athletics

John Tansley was the men’s cross country and track and field coach at Cal State L.A. from 1985-90. When he began his career, he was assigned the task of rescuing the men’s cross country and track and field programs from "last rites."

He wasted no time compiling accolades as he guided the track and field teams to four consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association championships. He also led Cal State L.A. to five straight NCAA top-five finishes. In 1986, he was voted the conference’s Coach of the Year.

His accomplishments were also impressive in cross country. He helped Cal State L.A. win two West Region championship crowns. In 1987, he was named the CCAA Coach of the Year and he was named the West Region Coach of the Year in 1988. In all, he coached 60 All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans.

Tansley also spent time as a featured speaker at several world track and field congresses, and coached and lectured in Malaysia, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Aruba, Australia, Mexico, Finland, England and Japan. He was also on the Board of Directors for the International Track and Field Coaches Association.