Bio

A native of Decatur, Illinois, Chris Jelks brings decades of experience and passion to the track as the Head Track and Cross Country Coach at Union Commonwealth University. A 1989 graduate of MacArthur High School, Chris was a standout sprinter who went on to attend Illinois State University, earning a degree in Communications while continuing to excel athletically.

As a competitor, Chris captured titles at the Prairie State Games (200m Champion, 1989), AAU Nationals, and the Hershey’s National Championships as part of a 4x100m relay team.

Chris began his coaching career in 1995 as an assistant at Normal University High School and has since led successful programs across Kentucky, including:

• Louisville Collegiate High School (2000–2002): Women’s Head Coach, 12 school records broken.

• Kentucky Country Day (2003–2005): Head Coach for men’s and women’s programs.

• Louisville Christian Academy (2006–2010): Head Coach and creator of the Harry Greschel Invitational.

• North Hardin High School (2011–2015): Head Middle School Coach and Assistant High School Coach; team State Runner-Up and Middle School Indoor State Champions at the Mason-Dixon Games.

• Elizabethtown High School (2016–2018): Head Coach; led teams to Regional Championships and produced three State Champions.

• Taylor County High School (2019–2020): Head Track Coach; teams achieved Regional Runner-Up and State Champion titles.

• Union Commonwealth University (2021–Present): Head Track and Cross Country Coach.

Since 2001, Chris has also served as Head Coach of the Kentucky Elite Track Club, producing four national champions and 37 national place finishers. He served as Vice President of the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (KTCCCA) from 2019 to 2021.

A U.S. Army veteran, Chris served six years as a 19K Tanker Sergeant with deployments including Seoul, South Korea, and Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He is a proud father of Dedria Jelks and an avid model train and music collector.

Updated: 1-29-26