June 16, 2012

Randolph Names New Program Coach

Cooper to Lead Cross Country and New Track Programs

LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Randolph College named Bill Cooper as its first head coach of the newly-formed indoor and outdoor track and field program Friday. Cooper will begin recruiting for the programs, which will start competing in 2013-2014. He will also serve as head coach of Randolph's men's and women's cross country teams. Cooper replaces the former cross country coach, Cat Phillips, who began her tenure in 2007.

"We're excited to have Coach Cooper join the Randolph community," said Athletic Director Tina L. Hill. "His passion and enthusiasm for developing our cross country programs and building our new track programs is contagious.  He is an experienced coach with a proven ability to attract highly motivated students interested in competing at a higher level."

Cooper comes to Randolph College after four successful years as the women's track and field and assistant cross country coach at Trine University in Angola, IN. While with the Thunder, he increased the roster sizes on each of the teams, while helping lead Trine to many accomplishments, including coaching a conference champion in the 200-meter dash.

"I'm excited about joining the Randolph family and starting a new program from scratch," said Cooper.  "I'm honored to be the first full time coach in the program's history and I look forward to seeing each of the programs grow and become competitive within the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, regionally and nationally."

Before his time at Trine University, Cooper worked as the head coach of both the men's and women's track and field teams at Muskingum College in New Concord, OH. He supervised more than 15 NCAA Division III national qualifiers, while mentoring three D-III All-Americans. He helped build the cross country team, taking it from 11 to 31 student-athletes. The track roster grew from 25 to 65.

Cooper also spent time as an assistant track and field coach at Colby College in Waterville, ME as well as at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. Cooper received his B.S. in biology from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH where he competed on the track squad and soccer team. As a four-year letter winner, he earned All-American honors in the 400-meter run.

--- This release is courtesy of the Randolph College sports information department. ---
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