WAYNESBURG, Pa. (July 13) – After spending the 2009 season as an assistant coach, Chris Hardie was announced as the new head coach of the Waynesburg University men's and women's cross country teams.
As previously mentioned, Hardie served as the team's assistant coach in the fall of 2009. He also just completed his fifth season as an assistant coach with the Waynesburg University men's and women's track & field teams. He replaces former head coach Blair Zimmerman, who served as head coach for the past 11 seasons.
“I am very excited for the challenge that lies in front of me,” Hardie said. “Blair Zimmerman started this program over a decade ago and left some very big shoes to fill.”
With the 2010 season getting underway on Sept. 1, hiring an individual with Hardie's experience with the school and knowledge of the team is a big plus as he faces a short off-season. Waynesburg University Director of Athletics Rick Shepas feels very comfortable with the hire.
“Chris is very familiar with the workings of the program and the athletic department here at Waynesburg, which makes him an ideal candidate for this position,” Shepas said. “He is enthusiastic about the move and I'm excited to see where he takes the program from here.”
Hardie inherits a pair of teams which return the bulk of their experience for 2010. The women's roster includes Megan Donovan, who as a freshman, earned second-team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) honors and was named PAC Women's Runner of the Week twice. The Jacket men are expected to feature Kyle Edwards who was honored as a PAC Men's Runner of the Week.
“This is an amazing and exciting time for Waynesburg University Cross Country,” Hardie said. “We have a solid team returning with our top seven men and women virtually intact from last season. We also have a large group of freshmen entering camp, who will double the team's size. They have a very promising future ahead of them in this sport. I truly feel this will be the deepest team that Waynesburg University Cross Country has every fielded.”
Speaking of the PAC, Waynesburg will host the 2010 PAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships. Hardie is facing the task of hosting a conference championship in his first year as head coach with the same enthusiasm he shows towards every other aspect of the job.
“I see hosting the PAC Championships as a challenge,” Hardie said. “But, as a positive person, I also see it as a distinct advantage for me and my athletes. We know the course better than anyone and we should be more prepared for our championship meet than we have ever been before.”
Hardie earned his bachelor's degree in political science from California University of Pa. in 2000. He added a master's degree in regional planning from Cal in 2002.
While earning his undergraduate degree, Hardie was a standout on the Vulcans track team. He was a three-time team captain and competed in a total of 11 different events. He also competed for the Cal cross country team from 1997-2000 and was a regional qualifier twice. In 2000, Hardie also tried his hand at rugby.
The veteran coach attended Hollidaysburg Area High School, which he graduated from in 1996. While there, Hardie earned nine total letters in soccer, track & field, baseball and swimming.
Along with his coaching resume, Hardie is also a highly competitive runner. He has run six ultra-marathons with his best finish coming in the 2009 Big Bear Twelve Hour Run with a fifth overall finish. He has also completed six marathons and competed in 75 races of other varying distances. He estimates that he has ran over 13,000 miles over his 15 years of running.
Hardie is also the founder of charity running organization called “Chris Cross the County” and has run for charitable organizations such as the American Cancer Society, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Alzhiemer's Association and Habitat for Humanity. Over the last four years he has raised over $12,000 for these causes.
He is married to his wife Kelley, who is also employed by Waynesburg University.