Jim Nesbitt

    With the start of the indoor season, head coach Jim Nesbitt embarks on his 20th year as head of Cardinal track and field. He has propelled the Cardinals into contention for conference championships, as well as district titles, on a frequent basis. In addition to the 17 titles SVSU has won under Nesbitt’s leadership are 38 runner-up finishes.
    In the autumn, Nesbitt is at the helm of the men’s and women’s cross country squads. Back-to-back titles found their way to the Cardinal nest in 1988 and 1989 with Nesbitt’s guidance, while the women’s program was inaugurated in 1989.
    After graduating from Handy High School in Bay City, Nesbitt went on to receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University in 1968 and 1974, respectively. At CMU, he played freshman basketball, lettered three years in track and once in cross country. As a senior, Nesbitt was a captain of the Chippewa track team.
    He held CMU records in the indoor 440, 600, 880, and 1,000 yard runs and set an NAIA indoor record while winning the 880 yard run in 1967. He concluded his career by placing sixth in the 1968 NCAA-college division 400 meter finals.
    In 1996, Nesbitt was inducted into the Bay County Hall of Fame. In 2001, Nesbitt was inducted into the Central Michigan University Athletics Hall of Fame. Coach Nesbitt has served as the vice president of the United State Track Coaches Association and President of Division II NCAA Track Coaches Association.
    Nesbitt spent 17 years teaching and coaching in the Michigan public school system. After a year at Riverside High School in Dearborn Heights, he moved on to John Glenn High School in Bay City and remained there 15 years before accepting a position at Traverse City High School in 1984.    
    He also coordinates the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association high school meets which are held on the campus of SVSU.
    He and his wife Carol live in Bay City. The couple has two sons, Jim and Mike and three grandchildren.