Winning a pair of national championships made Chaparrals head coach Robert Cervenka the undisputed choice for the 2021 USTFCCCA (United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) National Coach of the Year in both men's and women's NJCAA Division III Track and Field.
 
The national championship titles feature the first time in 11 years that a Chaparrals program captured a national title. The track titles are the 33^rd and 34^th overall national championships in school history.
 
"In a year where everything was unpredictable, Bob and his staff fought through unlimited changes and persevered through it all,'' said Director of Athletics Ryan Kaiser. "Bob said early on that if we can get to the starting line, we can find a way to finish. Both teams experienced the ultimate in intercollegiate athletics and it's a tribute to Bob and his staff on winning this award.''
 
At the national championship meet, the Chaps dominated both meets. All told, 11 men won a combined 39 All-American honors and nine women won a combined 35 All-American honors (as recognized by the USTFCCA).
 
"Having an opportunity to compete at Division III (non-scholarship), it gives us a chance to compete for national titles and individual honors every single year,'' Cervenka said. "This was a difficult year, and the credit goes to our athletes, who remained committed all season long. And to our staff, who worked very hard at motivating our athletes. Everyone involved is deserving of belonging on a national championship team.''
 
Cervenka completed his fifth season as head coach for both programs and his ninth overall at COD. The Downers Grove native is an Eastern Illinois graduate and has coached track and field for more than 40 years.
 
Stratton named Assistant Coach of the Year
Chaparrals assistant coach Michelle Stratton also was honored as the USTFCCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year for both the men's and women's programs. Under her tutelage, the Chaps men scored 53 points at the national meet, and the women scored 78 points. Stratton is a University of Illinois graduate, where she competed on the Illini track and field teams.
 
COD and its track titles
The Chaparrals men's track teams have now won five national titles in program history (2002, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2021). The women's program has now won five titles — 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2021.