BILLINGS — Twenty-three years ago, Steve Yockim would not have predicted a long career coaching one track and field event.
But that’s what happened. And before Yockim got to his 24th year as Sidney’s pole vault coach, he retired in order to tend to family medical issues he prefers to keep private.
In recent years, Yockim also has suffered a stroke and dealt with the shock of his daughter’s suicide — events that put coaching into stark perspective. But until this year, he always returned, and he rides off with a resume any coach would envy.
