Robert Duley is in his 17th season at the helm of the Red Hawk men’s and women’s track and field programs. In his tenure, Duley has established himself as the most successful and effective coach in the school’s track and field history, which dates back to 1922. Only Carl Doehling (1925-1948) for the men and Elaine Coll (1976-1993) for the women have longer tenures as the program's head coach than Coach Duley.

Duley’s formula for success combined with his unlimited enthusiasm and talent has not only transcended seasons and levels, but also has transcended sports. As a track and basketball coach at Westfield High School for 21 years, Duley’s teams won more than 500 contests and 13 conference championships. As the head coach of cross country and track & field at Ripon College, his two programs have notched 59 invitational victories, including seven Wisconsin Private College Championships.

In his twelve seasons as the cross country coach, Duley has become the most successful coach in Ripon history. He has led the women to their seven highest MWC finishes ever and the men have had the best eleven-year run in school history (first division finishes in each of those years). He has coached more first division team finishes (16) and more All-Conference (44) cross country runners in the past twelve years than in the previous forty-six years combined. In 2002 the men’s cross country program made history by winning their first ever Wisconsin Private College Championship. They repeated as champions in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2002 the women’s team won the Wisconsin Private College Track & Field Championships. In 2006, the women won the Wisconsin Private College Cross Country title.

The track and field program has grown in both the quantity and quality of athletes. 

"I believe the growth of the program is a direct reflection of the athletes and coaches that have worked so hard to make us a strong Division III program. We have quality student-athletes and each year that number grows. We also have great coaches," Duley said.

Assistant Coach Mike Immel (Ripon, '96) is a four-time Wisconsin Private College Champion and a four-time MWC Champion in the disc. Coach Immel was also a three-time NCAA qualifier in the disc as well the National Champion in 1996.

Assistant Coach Dan Sutter (Ripon, '01) is a three time Private College Champion in the hurdles.

"One of my satisfactions as a coach comes in part from the fact that former athletes want to come back and coach at Ripon. That shows they care about the program. They want to return something to it," Duley said.

While continuing to move both programs to the top of the Midwest Conference (MWC) year after year, Duley’s athletes have re-written almost every individual and team record.  Coach Duley has had 30 NCAA National Qualifiers, over 200 MWC Medalists, and over 250 Academic All-Conference performers.

"Ripon College is an excellent academic institution that is well respected nationally. The student-athletes I work with are very talented academically, athletically, and are quality individuals. The key to our making progress in both programs is the attitude, work ethic, and commitment to excellence that our student-athletes bring to our programs.

"I very much enjoy working with our student-athletes. They are awesome," Duley said.

Coach Duley received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida in 1969 and his Masters of Arts degree from Marian College in 1990. Duley is also a USATF Level I & II certified endurance and jumps coach. Coach Duley lives in Westfield, Wis., with his wife Darlene. He and Darlene have five daughters (Daycia, Tara, Alycia, Carina, and Marisa) and nine grandchildren.

Assistant Coach Mike Immel

Mike Immel ’96 is entering his fourth year coaching the throwing events at Ripon College and sixth year as a coach at the collegiate level. 

During his time at Ripon, there have been six school records, two conference records and two Wisconsin Private College records set. He has also coached seven conference champions, six national qualifiers and two All-Americans.

As an athlete at Ripon, Immel was a four-time Wisconsin Private College Champion and a four-time Midwest Conference Champion in the discus. He currently holds the school record in the discus, with a throw of 174'6". Immel was also a three-time NCAA qualifier in the disc as well the NCAA Division III National Champion in 1996.

Immel and his wife Jodi have two children, Brady (3) and Jenna (6 months) and works as a software account representative at J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

Assistant Coach Dan Sutter

Dan Sutter is entering his fifth season as the jumps and hurdles coach at Ripon College. 

A 2001 graduate of Ripon College, Sutter was a gifted athlete in both the hurdles and high jump for the Red Hawks, where he was a three-time Wisconsin Private College Champion in the outdoor high hurdles. Sutter, who still holds the school record in the outdoor high hurdles, was a multiple conference medalist in both the hurdles and the high jump, while also lettering four times in football for the Red Hawks.  A standout linebacker, Coach Sutter was named All-Conference on two occasions. 

As a coach, he has guided five athletes to school records, while coaching two conference champions and multiple medal winners in both events.

Sutter is a salesman for General Beverage. He and his wife Nikki, who is the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Oshkosh West High School, reside in Omro, Wis.