Doug Hoover to Take Reins of Saint Francis (PA) Track & Field, Cross Country Programs
7/16/2012
Loretto, PA -- Doug Hoover will lead the Saint Francis University men's and women's cross country and track & field programs, Director of Athletics Bob Krimmel announced on Monday. Hoover brings with him 12 years of collegiate coaching experience, including two years as an assistant coach with the Red Flash from 2000-2002.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Doug Hoover back to Saint Francis as our new head cross country and track & field coach,” said Krimmel. “Doug has the understanding of our University mission and brings a passion as well as the knowledge to be successful as our head coach. Joining with our returning staff and talented student-athletes we feel our programs are positioned to make great strides in the Northeast Conference.”
Hoover arrives in Loretto from Juniata College, where he served as an assistant coach with the men's and women's track & field and cross country teams since 2007. While there, he helped the women's cross country team to a Landmark Conference Championship in 2007. Under his guidance, Juniata has produced three All-America selections, an NCAA Championship qualifier and a provisional qualifier for the track & field teams. During his tenure, the College's men's cross country squad landed 14 student-athletes on the Landmark Conference's first or second teams, while the women's cross country team had 12 who were honored.
“I am thrilled to return to Saint Francis University and for the opportunity to work within a fantastic athletic department committed to the complete development of the student-athletes,” said Hoover. “Saint Francis track & field and cross country is rich in tradition and I look forward to the challenge of continuing that pursuit of excellence in the classroom and on the competition field.”
While Hoover has experience in guiding established collegiate programs, he has also had a hand in starting them from scratch. Prior to his days at Juniata, he spent five years as the head coach for the men's and women's cross country teams at Penn State Altoona, where he was instrumental in the founding of the program in 2002. In his first five years will the newly-minted program, Penn State Altoona teams placed among the top three in the conference championships eight times while earning one team championship and one individual championship. He was named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Women's Cross Country Coach of the year in 2004 and 2005.
“A decade ago I learned that Saint Francis University is a very special place. It's one of the most unique universities in the country. I'm anxious to get back to Loretto and get to work,” said Hoover.
Hoover received his bachelor's in finance with a minor in economics from the Pennsylvania State University in 1994, and earned his master's in business administration from Saint Francis in 2002. He has been a member of the United States Summer Biathlon Nation Team since 1997, where he has competed in cross country running and rifle marksmanship. Hoover is a four-time USA National Champion and has 13 top-ten finishes in the USA National Championships. He was a USA Flag Bearer at the IBU World Championships in 2007 and was the USA Team Captain in 2009.
He will officially assume his duties at Saint Francis on August 1, 2012.