Jeff Custer, Coach - Track & Field, Cross Country
Jeff was the Track and Field/ Cross Country coach at Gar-Field from 1995 to 2009. Coach Custer guided his teams to many individual and team championships. Coach Custer helped many of his athletes receive athletic scholarships whereas, many of his athletes went from Gar-Field to become All-Americans, United States Champions, and a two-time Olympian. In 15 years as the Head Coach, Jeff steered his teams to four state championships, 17 Regional championships, and 36 District championships. Jeff Custer is recognized as one of the most respected and influential coaches in Virginia High School history. He is a paternal figure to many of his former students whom speak fondly of his significance and importance to the program and their lives. In 2019, Jeff was inducted into the Virginia High School League’s Hall of Fame. The Virginia High School Hall of Fame recognizes those who have contributed in outstanding ways to activities programs serving Virginia's youth. Sponsored by the Virginia High School League (VHSL), the hall is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of outstanding achievements by students and adults in sports and activities within Virginia's public high schools. |
Coach Custer amassed numerous team titles during his coaching career: 15 State Team Titles, 11 State Runner-Up Titles, 43 Regional Championships, and 71 District/Conference Championships. Individually he was one of the most decorated coaches during his tenure: All-Met Coach of the Year 1998; several years Coach of the Year from the following: Potomac News, Prince William Extra, Roanoke Times, and the Montgomery County News Messenger. He was also recognized as the Virginia State Coach of the Year numerous times and was named the East Coast/Regional Coach of the Year (18 states), and the 2014 National Coach of the Year Finalist.