New Cross Country, Track and Field Coach Named

University of Hartford Athletic Director Pat Meiser named Stephen Walsh as the head coach for both the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams Tuesday. Prior to coming to the Hawks, Walsh served as the assistant coach of the cross country and track and field teams at Stony Brook University for four years.

As an assistant at Stony Brook, Walsh worked primarily with cross country, distance and middle distance student-athletes, developing and implementing training routines for those disciplines. He was also responsible for sprints, jumps, and throws at Stony Brook from 2008-11.

During his tenure at Stony Brook, Walsh assisted with the development of a number of All-Americans in both indoor and outdoor track and field, including 2012 NCAA Indoor Mile champion Lucy van Dalen, who will be representing New Zealand in the 2012 Olympics. He also reached national levels on the cross country course, helping the Stony Brook women to a seventh-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Over the past four years, Walsh has found success in America East Conference competition as well. He was a member of the America East Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year from 2008-11, assisting the Seawolves to America East championships in each of those four seasons. In 2008, he helped guide the men's cross country squad to a runner-up finish at the America East Championship. In total, Walsh's student-athletes earned three America East cross country individual championships and 19 America East individual track titles.

"The track and cross country teams here have tremendous potential and I am looking forward to being part of the program's future,” Walsh says.

Prior to his time at Stony Brook, Walsh was an assistant for one year at his alma mater, Boston College. Walsh graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 2007. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Boston College in 2009. As a student-athlete at Boston College, Walsh was a four-year letterwinner, competing in both cross country and track and field. He was a captain for cross country and track and field as a senior while also earning All-New England and All-Conference distinction.

Walsh holds a Master of Science degree in Athletic Coaching Education from West Virginia University, which he earned in May 2010. He is certified by the USTFCCCA Academy as an Event Specialist for sprints, hurdles, and relays, and has earned Level Two coaching certification in endurance from USA Track & Field.