TJ Lawson

About Me:

Before joining IMG Academy, TJ studied and competed at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where he excelled in the multi-events. He is a 6-time NCAA Division I Championship qualifier, 3-time Division I All-American, 2019 Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year, and a 2021 USATF Olympic Trials participant. TJ grew up immersed in track and field and has a passion for introducing combined events (Heptathlon and Decathlon) to middle school and high school athletes. Since joining IMG Academy, Coach TJ has guided 34 athletes to compete, study, and advance to the collegiate level in combined events.

Coach TJ Lawson, born in Waterloo, Iowa, lived in Eugene, Oregon, and Ohio before settling in Bradenton, Florida, in 2021. He now resides with his wife and newborn baby girl, Scottie. TJ is passionate about identifying, developing, and educating athletes in the multi-events and helping them take the next step toward NCAA competition. In his free time, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.

Education/Accreditations

• Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration, Kent State University
• Bachelor of Business Administration, Kent State University
• Master of Business Administration (In Progress)

Experience

• Coaching
  • Began coaching at IMG Academy in 2021
  • Coached 6 National Champions
  • Coached 15 All-Americans at NBNO/NBNI
  • Guided 22 multi eventers to National Championship qualification (Indoor and Outdoor)
  • Facilitated the placement of 30+ multi-event athletes into NCAA Track and Field programs
  • Coached 2 individual Florida Indoor State Champions in horizontal and vertical jumps
  • In the 2025 outdoor season, Coach Lawson’s athletes were crowned National Champions in the Heptathlon and Decathlon.
• Athletic
  • 3-time NCAA Division I All-American
  • 2021 USATF Olympic Trials Qualifier (Decathlon)
  • Multiple-time Mid-American Conference Champion
  • Mid-American Conference Decathlon Record Holder
  • 2019 Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year
  • National Runner-Up, New Balance Decathlon
  • 2-time Long Jump Ohio Division I State Champion
  • Google Cloud Academic All-American