FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2000 CONTACT: Mike Mahon, (515) 271-3014 OLYMPIC MEDALIST BROWN NAMED DRAKE WOMEN'S TRACK COACH Two-time U.S. Olympian Natasha Brown has been named head women's track and field coach at Drake University, succeeding Gary Osborn who passed away May 28. Brown has served the last seven years as an assistant track coach at the University of Missouri. It will be a homecoming for Brown, a native of Des Moines whograduated from Roosevelt High School where she was a nine-time Iowa state high school champion before a distinguished career at the University of Missouri. "This is a three-fold homecoming," said Brown, who ran a leg on the U.S. silver medal women's 4x400 relay team at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. "First, I'm excited at the thought of joining a University that I respect with all its tradition and history and one where I have had so many wonderful experiences. Secondly, it's wonderful to be returning home to a great city that nurtured me into the person I am today and lastly, to finally be near my family and old friends. "Drake University has a tremendous cross country and track and field program. I look forward to working with the women's team. Having met a handful of team members during the interview process, I realize that there are several outstanding athletes who are excited about Drake and the future. That makes my job fun." Brown, 33, competed in 16 Drake Relays, winning the women's special 400 at the 1990, 1993 and 1998 Drake Relays while being inducted into the 1995 Drake Relays Athletes Hall of Fame. "Having been a competitor, spectator and coach at the relays for so many years, it just feels right to now be working for Drake," Brown added. "I grew up not more than three miles from the stadium so I was on the campus all the time. My mother (Elayne) was a graduate of Drake and constantly spoke of the University with fond memories so I feel as though I have been here all along." Brown was ranked second in the world in the 400 in 1993 after her silver medal performance at the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. She also won a gold medal as a member of the 4x400 relay team that established a meet record of 3:16.71 at the 1993 World Championships and was the second fastest time ever by an American team. Brown also was a member of the 4x400 relay team which set an American indoor record of 3:27.66. en route to winning the silver medal at the 1997 World Indoor Championships. Brown won the 400 at the 1994 U.S. Outdoor Championships and was ranked fifth in the world. She has been ranked in the U.S. top 10 in the 400 eight times since 1989. Brown was a six-time NCAA All-American at Missouri, setting a national collegiate record of 51.92 in the 400 at the 1989 NCAA Indoor Championships. She was a five-time Big Eight Conference champion and was named the 1989 Big Eight Female Athlete of the Year. Brown, who ranked second in the world in the 400 in 1993, led Missouri to a 1988 Drake Relays title in the women's sprint medley relay and was third in the special invitational 400. She finished second behind two-time Olympic gold medalist Gwen Torrence in the special 400 at the 1991 and 1992 Drake Relays. She was the first recipient of the Gerry Cooley Award, presented annually to the outstanding high school girls' performer, at the 1985 Drake Relays, competing for Roosevelt High School. Brown won the girls' high school invitational 100 in the 1984 Drake Relays, while also anchoring Roosevelt to victory in the inaugural girls' high school sprint medley relay. She led the Riders to Drake Relays sprint medley and 4x400 relay crowns in 1985. Natasha and her husband, Brian, have a one-year-old daughter, Elexandria.