Olympian joins Lopes' coaching staff

The Grand Canyon track and field program added decorated shot putter John Godina to its coaching staff as a throws volunteer assistant coach. The throwing team also added to its staff earlier this month, when the Lopes hired Nathan Ott as the throws coach. Godina

"I am absolutely thrilled to have John join my track and field staff as a volunteer throws coach," GCU head coach Tom Flood said. "He is one of the most accomplished American Olympic throwers of all time and his name is synonymous with success and excellence in whatever he has done."

Godina was a professional track and field athlete for 14 years. In that time, he became a four-time world champion, three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist in shot put. He also was a receiver of the Jesse Owens Award twice.

"I am delighted to be a part of the GCU staff," Godina said. "I thank Coach Flood for letting me be a part of this successful team, and I look forward to assisting Coach Ott in lifting the throws program to new heights."

When Godina retired in 2009 from his professional throwing career, he expanded his already established track and field training facilities in what is called Altis today. The program combined elite athlete training, coaches education system and nationwide youth camps.

In 2012, Godina continued to expand Altis to include all track and field events. In 2015, Altis was re-branded to the World Athletics Center, where they sent 17 athletes to the World Championships and won five medals. Altis also sent 21 athletes to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, and came home with five medals.

Godina's team at Altis worked well together, and one of his team members was his wife, who is an expert in finance and worked as the chief financial officer of private and public companies. Godina sold his business in 2018 to explore more opportunities and ventures.

"He will be a valuable resource for our new throws coach, Nate Ott, and will also make an immediate impact on our student-athletes future success," Flood said.

The Cheyenne, Wyoming, native attended UCLA, where he was the caption of the Bruins track and field team, and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Biology. He was a five-time NCAA champion, and 11-time All-American.

Godina will start his tenure of coaching the Lopes' throwers with months before GCU begins its indoor season.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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