Voorhees University

Jeffery B. Hughes, a native of Chester, South Carolina.   He is a Professor and Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field Coach at Voorhees University. His dedication and leadership were recognized in 2023 when he was named the Inaugural Coach of the Year at Voorhees. In 2024 he was inducted into the 2024 Voorhees University Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame class. He holds degrees from South Carolina State University, the United States Sports Academy, and Voorhees University.  

Under Hughes’ guidance, his athletes have achieved remarkable success, including over one hundred cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field national qualifiers. His coaching accomplishments include being the only coach in the history of South Carolina to coach a national champion on multiple college campuses, Treavor Hemphill (400 – meters Claflin University) and Michael Tatnall (Triple Jump – Voorhees University), he has coached numerous All-Americans. He is a ten-time collegiate conference coach of the year, seven-time collegiate regional coach of the year, four-time collegiate finalist for national coach of the year (Claflin and Voorhees Universities combined). Notably, Hughes coached the first Penn Relays champion in Voorhees history in the triple jump and the first Eastern Region champion in the men’s 4x400 meter relay.  

His unwavering commitment to excellence has significantly shaped Voorhees University’s cross country, track and field program, establishing a legacy of achievement and inspiring future generations of athletes. He is a dedicated father to Timothy and Talisa. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.