Posted: Sep 05, 2023

Pima Community College Athletics Hall of Fame Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Jim Mielke passes away

Pima Community College Track & Field and Cross Country coach and Athletics Hall of Famer Jim Mielke passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86.

Coach Mielke started the Pima Track & Field and Cross Country programs in 1975 and in five short years, guided the Men's Cross Country team to the NJCAA National Championship. He was selected as the NJCAA National Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1980.
Mielke's coaching career spanned over the course of 60 years with the Aztecs, Sunnyside Junior High and Sunnyside High School. He led the Blue Devils' boys cross country team to their first state championship in 1975.
He served as president of the National Junior College Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Mielke was influential in promoting track & field in the Senior Olympics and in the founding development of the Tucson Marathon.
Coach Mielke was inducted into the Pima Community College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. He earned the honors of being inducted into the Sunnyside School District Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
Mielke was born in Wappon, Wisconsin and his family moved to Tucson in 1945 when he was 8-years-old. He attended Roskruge Elementary School in third grade, Sunnyside Elementary for three years and Mansfield Middle School for two years. He graduated from Tucson Magnet High School in 1955.

Members of the Pima Community College Athletics staff shared their initial thoughts upon hearing of Coach Mielke's passing:

Chad Harrison – Pima Men's and Women's Track & Field Head Coach: "Coach Mielke was truly an icon. The first time I met him, he spoke about all the great things that had been done with Pima Track. He was so positive and caring. I felt that he was genuinely happy for all the success that our track and field program had.
"For him to know that the program was left in great hands was truly an awesome feeling. I'm very lucky to have met him. He gave amazing advice and loved Pima and Track & Field.
"His passing is truly sad. It's a big blow for the Pima community. Truly, a great man that was respected throughout Tucson. He will be missed."
Jim Monaco – Athletic Director: "He was a great man and a tremendous coach. I will miss seeing him at our basketball games. REST IN PEACE COACH."
Ben Carbajal – Former Pima Athletic Trainer and fellow 2013 Pima Athletics Hall of Famer: "A sad day for all individuals inspired by coach to be their best. RIP Coach."