Loyola University New Orleans track and field head coach Geoff Masanet announced the hiring of Damar Forbes as the new assistant coach Friday, Aug. 20, adding a wealth of knowledge to the blossoming programs.
"I am extremely honored and look forward to joining the Loyola University track and field program,” Forbes said. “Having the opportunity to help student-athletes become better versions of themselves on and off the track is what makes this position special."
Forbes will primarily coach the sprints, hurdles and jumps events for the Wolf Pack.
With a decorated history in the sprints, hurdles and jumping events, freshman Nicholas Solomon flourished under Forbes’ leadership in his first season with the Pack. Solomon was a part of five school records, including indoor Triple Jump, indoor 400 Meters, outdoor Long Jump, and outdoor 400 Meters. Braddock Lord also broke two hurdles records during the indoor season, earning those program records in the 55-meter and 60-meter hurdles races.
A native of Jamaica, Forbes was a highly sought-after recruit for the LSU track and field program where he captured a National Championship and two SEC Championships throughout his career. During his senior season in 2013, he swept the National and SEC titles in the long jump competition, as well as helping his 4x100-meter relay team to an SEC title running as the leadoff leg. He finished his career in Baton Rouge as the second-best long jumper in school history with career-best leaps of 26-11.25 (indoor) and 27-0.75 (outdoor), and he also earned SEC Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year award in 2013.
"Damar was highly recommended by several of the best coaches in the United States, not just as a tremendous athlete but as a coach who has quickly shown to be a great teacher of our sport,” Masanet said. “He has an infectious love of track and field and a positive outlook that will undoubtedly help our program as we strive to become a conference contender in the SSAC and on the national stage. We had many terrific candidates and I am grateful and excited to have Damar joining our team, department and Loyola University.”
While at LSU, Forbes represented Jamaica in two World Championships (2011 and 2013) and the 2012 Olympics in London. He also competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio after college, earning himself the title of being a two-time Olympian.
Forbes graduated LSU with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sports Administration with a concentration in sports leadership, and after his competitive career was over, he has since opened his own sports performance business in Baton Rouge called Airborne Sports Performance. He also served as a coach at Traction Sports Performance in Baton Rouge in 2019 and a sports administration intern for the Louisiana High School Athletic Association during his senior year at LSU.
The Loyola track and field programs are coming off a season where the teams took a step in the positive direction. The Wolf Pack men’s team had 13 represented on an SSAC All-Conference team while the women had nine make an All-Conference list. Bryana Bazile became the first Loyola athlete to qualify for the NAIA National Championship in the discus event, finishing 11th nationally out of 30 competitors. She also won the SSAC Championship in the shot put event.
