CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Imagine being good enough to compete in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships while attending a Division III school. Only a few select student-athletes can say they’ve had the privilege, but Kip Janvrin is one of them.
Janvrin, a Simpson College alum, was able to compete in the 1987 and 1988 DI Championships because he won the decathlon at the NCAA Division III Championships and had a qualifying mark.
“It was a great experience and helped me to realize I could compete with those athletes,” Janvrin said.
As a Division III student-athlete, Janvrin enjoyed competing against athletes from all divisions and classifications. He relished the grind of the workouts and pushing himself alongside other team members.
He thrived on the camaraderie and the relationships he formed with his professors.
Janvrin's athletic career did not end following graduation though as he went onto become the 1995 Pan Am Games champion, 2000 Olympian, 2001 World Championships competitor, and 2001 US Decathlon Champion. In addition, he won 15 Drake Relays Decathlon titles and two Drake Relays master's 800 meter titles.
Janvrin’s journey as a student-athlete prepared him for a successful coaching career, which has spanned over three decades.
He spent 36 years coaching at the University of Central Missouri before recently retiring in August 2024.
In September 2024, he started working at Kansas State University as an assistant track coach, an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
Back to the beginning
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Janvrin’s journey began in Panora, Iowa, where he grew up. When it came time to choose a college, he was torn between Simpson and Graceland University. Janvrin ultimately chose Simpson due to the influence of coach John Curtin and the proximity to his home.
Janvrin’s time at Simpson was marked by numerous accomplishments and memorable experiences. One of his favorite sports memories was winning the Drake Relays decathlon in 1987, considering it was a rare feat for a DIII athlete.
He also cherished the opportunity to compete in the DI Championships and the chance to share those experiences with family and friends.
For Janvrin, Simpson was more than just a place to excel in sports. It was a place that provided him with a quality education and helped shape his work ethic.
He credits his professors for challenging him and helping him succeed as a student-athlete.
Additionally, Janvrin had three different head coaches during his time at Simpson, each of whom taught him valuable lessons that made him a well-rounded person and a better coach.
However, Janvrin’s most impactful mentor was Guy Mosher, who became his coach and friend. Mosher played a significant role in shaping Janvrin into the athlete he became, and Janvrin feels fortunate to have had him as a coach.
“He taught me about all the events and training principles that I use as a coach today. He was always there for me and invested so much of his time. He is a great friend, and I am so fortunate that he is in my life.”
A lifetime of memories
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Reflecting on his time at Simpson, Janvrin wishes he could have been a better teammate. He admits that he was so focused on his accomplishments that he often didn’t recognize the performances of his peers.
Despite this, he has fond memories of his teammates and the fun they had on road trips.
Today, Janvrin continues to keep in touch with a core group of his college teammates, and he cherishes the relationships he formed during his time at Simpson.
As he moves forward in his coaching career, Janvrin carries with him the lessons he learned as a student-athlete and the values instilled in him by his mentors.
Janvrin’s journey is a testament to the power of Division III athletics and the impact it can have on a student-athlete’s life. His experiences at Simpson College shaped him into the person and coach he is today, and he is forever grateful for the opportunities he had as a Division III student-athlete.
Simpson College is a place that provided him with an excellent education, caring professors, and countless athletic opportunities.
Choosing Simpson was a decision that charted his path to success and made him the person he is today.
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About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
