Aug. 16, 2007

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Saint Louis cross country/men's and women's head track & field coach Mike Nelson has resigned to become the head cross country coach/assistant track & field coach at Marquette.

"I am delighted that coach Nelson has accepted our offer to lead the cross country team and distance runners," Interim Athletics Director Steve Cottingham said. "Mike's understanding of Marquette's tradition, coupled with his passion for the opportunity to take the program to new heights, has all of us excited to have him join our program."

Nelson joins Marquette after spending the past two years at Saint Louis University. Hired as the head cross country coach in 2005, Nelson founded the track and field program at SLU in the Spring of 2006. The Billikens encountered immediate success in both competition and the classroom, competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Numerous student-athletes were recognized for their academic accomplishments at the conference level and the men's and women's teams also made their respective debuts at the league championship meets.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join the program at Marquette," Nelson said. "The team has a storied history and I look forward to continuing that tradition of success."

Before arriving at SLU, Nelson spent two years as a graduate assistant for the Emporia State University cross country and track and field teams. He also worked with ESU's distance runners on the track and field team and served as the recruiting coordinator for the squads.