Friday, August 18, 2006

Ryan Moore, an assistant coach with the Crusader Track and Field program since 2003, has been named the new Valparaiso University Track and Field Head Coach, Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera announced today.

Moore replaces Tyler Wingard who took over the track and field program at Christopher Newport University in June.

?It's exciting to have Ryan step up and become the next head coach," LaBarbera said. ?He has had a lot to do with the program's success in the last few years and has a great rapport with his student-athletes."

Hired by Wingard, Moore worked extensively with Crusader throwers who enjoyed unprecedented success in 2005. One of Moore's pupils, junior Steve Bartholomew (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township) was named the Mid-Continent Conference's Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2005, the first Valpo track and field athlete to ever win the award.

?I'm really excited to take over the track and field program," Moore said. ?I'm looking forward to opening a new chapter in Valpo history while continuing the current tradition of success."

Three Valpo throwers placed in the top seven in the discus throw at the conference meet, and four of the top nine in the hammer throw were Crusaders. Bartholomew, who won both events, also qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regional Meet in Knoxville, Tenn.

Twelve of Moore's throwers, six men and six women, have earned All-Conference honors since his arrival in 2003, including Bartholomew and Erik Lindamood (Bealeton, Va./Liberty). Moore's student-athletes have also broken 11 school records and 60 personal records.

Moore himself was an accomplished discus thrower at Calvin College. In 2002, Moore qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships and won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association title in the discus.

A 2002 graduate of Calvin, Moore earned his master's degree in sports administration from Valparaiso University.