Parkside Athletics

James Halford was named the Assistant Track and Field Coach at Parkside in September of 2023. He is responsible for coaching sprints and jumps, while also assisting in team logistics, practice plans and transportation.
 
Prior to taking the position at Parkside, Halford spent the previous three years as a Special Education Teacher and Head Track and Field Coach at Palmyra-Eagle High School. There he was responsible for scheduling meets, implementing daily practice plans, fundraising and logistical needs. During his three year tenure, Halford coached 35 WIAA State qualifiers and 24 All-State athletes. He also coached the back-to-back fasted D3 high school 4x400 relay team from 2022-23 at the WIAA Indoor State meet. He also led the boys teams to back-to-back WIAA Regional championships and the girls team to the 2023 WIAA Regional championship.
 
Before his time at Palmyra-Eagle, Halford spent four years in the United States Marine Corps from 2011-2015. He held multiple positions during his time in the military, earning multiple awards and recognitions, including the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Deployment Ribbon (2), and Honorable Discharge.
 
Halford is a 2015 graduate of Indiana University where he was the 2015 Indiana University Football Team Captain. Halford graduated from Indiana University in August of 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then went on to get his master’s degree in the arts of teaching from Carroll University in December of 2020.