WEST CHESTER, PA – West Chester University announced the hiring of
Colin Leak as the new Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Friday morning. Leak served as the Cross Country Coordinator and an assistant track coach tutoring the distance runners last season.
Leak now oversees both of the men's and women's programs with his promotion to the director's role. He is expected to continue with the cross country runners what he began last fall while taking the reins of the track & field program and putting his own stamp on that group.
"I am honored to be selected as the head coach of the track & field and cross country program at West Chester University," Leak said. "I am eager to continue building upon the program's legacy of excellence while nurturing a culture of collaboration, perseverance and personal growth for our student-athletes."
In his first season on South Campus, Leak helped three runners achieve all-league honors while both the men's and women's cross country teams were recognized for their work in the classroom by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Bella Marchini finished seventh at the 2022 PSAC Championships, earning first-team All-PSAC honors as a result. She was also recognized individually by the USTFCCCA on the all-academic team, along with teammate
Hallie Weaver. On the men's side, both
Amir Cubbage and
Philip Smith were individually recognized for their academic status while the men's squad earned a spot on the team list.
"The search generated a quality pool of candidates, and Colin stood out with his vision for the program and his holistic approach to student-athlete development," West Chester Athletics Director Terry Beattie said. "I am excited for the future of our program and look forward to working with Coach
Colin Leak to make his vision a reality."
The former Team USA distance standout and University of Michigan volunteer coach is a native of Unionville, Pa., Leak represented the USA at the 2011 NACAC Cross Country Championships where he placed third.
Leak officially takes his 2023 charges into the new year at the Piper Cross Country Challenge hosted by Shippensburg University on Sep. 1.
