Eby named to lead Bulldog track & harriers

McPherson College has announced the hiring of Joseph Eby as head coach for cross country and track and field.

A 2004 graduate of NCAA D-III Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where he received NCAA D-III All-American honors at 1,500 meters, Eby has spent the last 2 ½ years as assistant coach of middle distance and long sprinters, and recruiting coordinator for cross country and track & field at NCAA D-III Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

“I am pleased that Joe has chosen to join the McPherson College staff and athletic department,” said LaMonte Rothrock, McPherson College dean of students and athletic director, in making the announcement. “It is exciting to find a young man of the caliber and character of Joe to head our cross country and track programs. He comes with the highest of recommendations from Coach (Bill) Ross at Allegheny (College).”

“Joe brings a history of success in cross country and track, not only as an athlete but also as an assistant coach with two successful programs. Joe continues to run competitively and will bring a new level of enthusiasm to our programs.”

“Joe impressed the interview groups with the recruitment materials he has developed for DePauw and Allegheny and his expertise in recruiting solid student-athletes.”

“Joe will be moving to town and begin recruiting immediately. His focus will be on recruitment of student athletes for the fall if 2009.”

Eby plans to be on campus full-time beginning February 2nd.

“I am very excited about becoming head coach at McPherson College,” said Eby on accepting the McPherson position. “I was impressed with the people, the facilities, and the community on my visit to campus.”

“I’m excited about the student-athletes I had the opportunity to meet, their desire to get better and their goals, which were in line with what I believe is possible for them.”

During his time at Allegheny, Eby helped head coach Bill Ross direct the Gators’ cross country program to three NCAA D-III top 10 national championship team finishes, topped by a third place finish in 2006. In 2006 and 2007, both the Allegheny men’s and women’s teams qualified to the NCAA national championships. Under the directon of Ross and Eby, the Gators have won three consecutive North Coach Athletic Conference (NCAC) men’s cross country team titles along with the 2007 women’s crown.

On the track, Allegheny swept the 2007 NCAC men’s indoor and outdoor conference titles, and the women’s 2008 outdoor championship.

Eby tutored three Allegheny harriers to NCAA D-III All-American status. On the track, he coached three track and field All-Americans, five automatic and seven provisional NCAA national qualifiers.

Following his graduation from Mount Union College, Eby spent two successful years as a graduate assistant coach at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, while competing his Master’s degree at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

At DePauw, he coached three NCAA D-III All-Americans in cross country and helped direct the Tigers’ men and women to top 15 finishes at the D-III National Championships.

During his time there, DePauw swept the 2004 and 2005 men’s and women’s Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) team cross country titles in addition to winning the 2005 and 2006 men’s and 2005 women’s SCAC outdoor track crowns. He coached DePauw athletes to seven men’s and nine women’s SCAC event titles as well as two NCAA D-III All-Americans, four automatic and six provisional qualifiers to the NCAA D-III National meets in indoor and outdoor track.

Joe received his Bachelor of Arts in physical education from Mount Union College in 2004 with minors in health education and exercise science.

As an undergraduate student-athlete, he received All-American recognition following his fifth place finish in the 1,500 meters at the 2002 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. He would go on to be a four-time All-Ohio D-III champion at 800 and 1,500 meters under coach John Homon, winning four Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) titles and receiving all-conference honors 13 times including twice in cross country. He was named the MVP of the 2002 OAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. In 2003, he was D-III’s top ranked runner at 1,500 meters before injuries brought his season to a premature end.

With a personal best of 3:45.30 at 1,500 meters, Eby was the 2005 USATF Club Champion.

Still an active runner, Eby finished 82nd at the 2007 USATF National Cross Country Championships.

A USATF Level 1 certified coach, Eby has worked in all capacities of meet administration in both cross country and track.

He has developed and instituted strength, conditioning, and dynamic flexibility programs at both DePauw University and Allegheny College.

Eby graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He is married to the former Becky Zink.