Former Owls' All-American John Wallin (center) has been named head men's cross country/track and field coach at Southern Connecticut State University.
John Wallin Named Head Men's Cross Country/Track and Field Coach at Southern Connecticut State University
6/23/2010 11:57:26 AM
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Former Southern Connecticut State University All-American John Wallin has been named head men’s cross country/track and field coach at his alma mater. The announcement was made today by Director of Athletics Patricia D. Nicol. Wallin has distinguished himself as one of the top coaches in the nation over the past decade, a span that included stints at Dartmouth, Adams State College (Colo.) and SCSU. Wallin spent this past year as an assistant coach for the Owls and was named United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Men’s Regional Assistant Coach of the Year during the outdoor campaign.
Wallin replaces Shawn Green, who stepped down at the conclusion of the 2009-10 academic year.
“John Wallin has established a pedigree as an outstanding coach who develops student-athletes that excel academically and athletically,” Nicol said. “In addition, he is well-versed in the storied tradition of our men’s cross country and track and field programs through his experiences as a student-athlete and coach here at SCSU. I am fully confident that John will continue that level of excellence as he assumes his head coaching duties.”
Wallin made an immediate impact in his first year with the Owls after a seven-year run as
associate head men’s and women’s track and field coach at Adams State. During the 2009-10 academic year at SCSU, Wallin coached seven All-Americans, nine NCAA qualifiers, 24 All-New England selections, two New England champions and 19 Northeast-10 Conference champions. The Owls also won the 2010 Northeast-10 Conference men’s indoor and outdoor track and field championships and the Metropolitan Outdoor Championships for the first time in program history. SCSU was also ranked as high as No. 11 nationally during the indoor season.
During his tenure at Adams State, Wallin coached seven individual national champions, one relay national champion and 104 All-Americans (45 men, 59 women). His student-athletes claimed 25 school records, eight indoor Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference meet records and 17 outdoor RMAC meet records.
Prior to joining the Adams State staff, Wallin served as assistant men’s and women’s track and field coach at Dartmouth College (1999-2001). During his time with the Big Green, he guided student-athletes to five school records, nine Ivy League titles, one Division I NCAA All-America honor and three New England decathlon champions.
Wallin also served as the recruiting coordinator for the Big Green and enjoyed a brief stint as assistant strength and conditioning coach at Dartmouth.
As a student-athlete, Wallin served as a two-year team captain for Southern Connecticut. He earned All-America honors in the decathlon as a junior and senior, while also qualifying for the NCAA Championships as a sophomore.
Wallin also took home conference champion honors in the 55 meter high hurdles as a senior, a campaign in which the Owls won their first indoor conference championship.
Wallin holds a bachelor’s degree in human performance from Southern Connecticut State University and has completed graduate work towards a master’s degree in human performance from Adams State.
TRANSACTIONS – Southern Connecticut State University – John Wallin named head men’s cross country/track and field coach.