SOU Tabs Ericksen to Lead Track, Cross Country Programs
ASHLAND, Ore. -- Southern Oregon University Athletic Director Dennis Francois announced Wednesday that Brent Ericksen has been named the Raiders' new head cross country and track and field coach.
Ericksen comes to SOU after serving as associate head cross country and track and field coach at NCAA Division I Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to work with a program like the one at SOU,” Ericksen said. “It has great facilities and is in a wonderful location. I really look forward to being there.”
At Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Ericksen was responsible for all phases of a combined spint, hurdle, jump and multi-event program that set 13 new school records. He also helped the women’s cross country squad win the Southland Conference championship.
Prior to Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Ericksen was the head men’s track and field coach at Wisconsin-La Crosse (2006-07) and led them to the 2007 NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championship. Ericksen was named National, Regional and Conference Coach of the Year and during that year coached four national champions, five national runners-up and 36 All-Americans. His team set the national record for largest margin of victory at the nationals, winning by 65 points.
“Coach Ericksen brings a vast amount of knowledge, experience and energy to our cross country and track and field programs,” Francois said. “I would like to commend the search committee, chaired by Steve Helminiak, who worked diligently in narrowing the pool of over 80 applicants to four quality finalists. Each finalist brought something unique to the table, but in the end Coach Ericksen’s vitae provided the balance we needed in the reorganized structure of the programs. I am confident he will carry on the tradition established by the countless student-athletes and coaches who have dedicated so much to our cross country and track and field programs.”
Ericksen was also the head cross country and track and field coach at NCAA Division II Texas A&M Kingsville from 2000 to 2006. During his time he coached five national champions and 77 All-Americans and his women’s cross country team was twice named Academic All-American. He also more than doubled the size of both squads.
He also served as head cross country and track and field coach at Mount Mary College (1993-95) and an assistant at California State University - Stanislaus (1998-2000), South Dakota State (1997-98), Marquette (1995-97) and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (1990-93).
Ericksen earned his Bachelor of Arts from California State University Stanislaus in 1989 and his Master of Science Degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1992.
Ericksen’s first day at the Ashland campus will be Aug. 18 to jump start the cross country program.
“The first thing I need to do is round the kids up and get them ready and see where they are at,” Ericksen said. “I’ll try to do some late recruiting and see if we can find anyone still out there. You never know, it’s always worth trying.”