UTSA Athletics is grieving the death of James Blackwood, a former track and field coach who passed away on January 22 at age 84. Blackwood served on the Roadrunners' staff for nine seasons, leading the women's program in his final years. His tenure produced notable athletes and academic standouts.
James Blackwood, a veteran coach in track and field, died on January 22 at the age of 84, prompting tributes from UTSA Athletics in San Antonio.
Blackwood joined the UTSA Roadrunners as part of the track and field coaching staff from the 1999-2000 season through 2007-08, totaling nine seasons. For the last seven of those years, he headed the women's program. Under his guidance, athletes achieved significant success, including two All-Americans: Ryanne Dupree, a four-time honoree and the 2006 Southland Conference Athlete of the Year, and Rhonda Ray. He also mentored more than 60 all-conference performers and over 25 conference champions.
Blackwood's impact extended beyond competition. His student-athletes earned two Academic All-America certificates, four Academic All-District accolades, four Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year honors, and 11 academic all-conference awards.
A 1964 graduate of Abilene Christian University, Blackwood launched his coaching career in 1965 at W.B. Ray High School in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, as an assistant in track and field and cross country. That year, his cross country team claimed the state championship, followed by a runner-up finish in 1966. From 1967 to 1970, he served as head track coach and assistant football coach at Corpus Christi King High School. He then took similar roles for two years at Richardson High School near Dallas.
In 1972, Blackwood entered collegiate coaching as an assistant track and field and cross country coach at the University of Texas Longhorns. Over 12 years, his teams secured 13 Southwest Conference Championships and finished in the NCAA top 10 eleven times, while producing All-Americans. In 1985, he became recruiting coordinator for Texas football, contributing to one Southwest Conference title, three bowl appearances, and sending 25 players to the NFL.
Later, in 1992, Blackwood worked as an academic counselor at Texas. He briefly left academia in 1996 to join the Houston Astros baseball club before returning to coaching in 1997 as head cross country and assistant track coach at the University of Southern Mississippi.
UTSA Athletics remembered Blackwood's dedication to developing both athletic and academic excellence among his athletes.
