Eric Heins, former Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Northern Arizona University, will be inducted into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame on July 25 in Spokane, according to a May 21 announcement from the conference office.
Heins is among eight individuals selected for the fifth induction class, which will be celebrated during the 2026 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend. Tickets for the ceremony are available at BigSkyConf.com/HOF. This recognition ties Northern Arizona University (NAU) with the most inductees from any member institution in the Hall of Fame’s history. Seven out of NAU’s eight honorees have come from its cross country and track & field programs.
Heins began his coaching career at NAU in 2007 as head cross country coach and was promoted to Director in 2010. During his tenure, he led teams to 28 Big Sky Championships and guided them to their first-ever team national championship in men’s cross country in 2016. That victory marked the start of six Division I national championships over seven years for NAU. Heins also coached five athletes who competed at the Summer Olympics and helped David McNeill win individual national titles in both indoor and outdoor events.
While at NAU, Heins was named Big Sky Coach of the Year 27 times and earned NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year honors in 2016. His teams reached podium finishes six times out of nine appearances at NCAA Men’s Cross Country Championships. In addition to coaching achievements, he oversaw student-athletes who collectively earned numerous All-American honors.
Heins is currently serving as head cross country coach and associate track & field distance coach at Indiana since 2023 after holding positions at St. Thomas-Houston and Louisville following his time with NAU.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks includes distinguished alumni inducted into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame; it has excelled particularly in cross country and track & field by securing conference championships and national titles among alumni; it promotes student-athlete development through comprehensive support services; features facilities such as Walkup Skydome and Lumberjack Stadium; has been recognized for academic success through frequent placements on All-Academic Teams; and competes as part of the Big Sky Conference, according to the official website.
