Robert Baker brings to his coaching an outstanding individual athletic record and the ability to train student-athletes. After graduating from Principia College in 1978, he competed in the 1980 Texas Relays, where he set the world record in the 1,500-meter portion of the decathlon, a record that still stands. He also competed at the U.S. Track and Field Nationals and the Olympic Trials in 1980 and 1984.

During his career, Baker has trained elite athletes and worked for the United States Olympic Committee and the United States Track and Field from 1984 to 1996. In addition, he coached the U.S. Olympic men's decathlon team in 1995. 

Baker has served Principia in various capacities over three decades. He worked in the Principia Enrollment Office in the 1980s and coached the College track and field and cross country team from 1989–2000. After managing the McDonnell Athletic Center at Mary Institute and Country Day School, he returned to Principia in 2008 as Assistant Athletic Director at Principia School.

"I started coaching to work with student-athletes and share the knowledge and life skills that were instilled in me from coaches and mentors along the way." 

Education
    BA, Principia College
Scholarly Interests
    Mechanics of Movement
    Kinesiology
Contributions to Field
    Director, U.S. Olympic Decathlon Development Camp, Olympic Training Center, San Diego, 1995
    Coach, U.S. Decathlon Team, July 1995
    Meet manager for the U.S. Decathlon Team vs Germany at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1996
Awards
    Tascosa High School Hall of Fame, 1986
    Principia College Gold & Blue Athletic Hall of Fame, 2006
Memberships and Affiliations
    Red Cross Instructor
    National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), 1996–2015
Publications and Presentations
    Strength and Conditioning Super Conference, Las Vegas, 2007
    Presentation and paper on weight training for distance events
    Presentation and paper on pole vault teaching progression