Tom Pukstys enters his fourth year with the Crusader Track and Field program in 2017-18. He works with the throwers.

A two-time Olympian and six-time U.S. javelin champion, Pukstys brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the program. He was an assistant coach with the United States team in the 2012 Olympics in London. 

Falling in love with the javelin after his brother brought one back from his native country of Lithuania, Putskys quit his high school baseball team and joined the track team, throwing 155 feet in his first meet. He attended the College of DuPage and set the American Junior record (71.34m/234-1) his freshman year before transferring to the Univeristy of Florida following his sophomore campaign, where he trained with John Kennison. He set his first American record in 1993. He personal best is 87.12m/285-10.

Putskys graduated from Florida with a degree in public relations in 1990.