HAMILTON, N.Y. - Colgate University head men’s cross country and track & field coach Art McKinnon has named Matt Gerard as his assistant.

“I am excited to announce that Matt Gerard has accepted the position and will be the Assistant Cross Country and Track & Field Coach and Recruiting Coordinator,” McKinnon said. “Matt will work with jumpers and runners during track. He will also coordinate our recruiting efforts.”

Gerard comes to Colgate after serving as the track and cross country coach at Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Ariz. for the past year. He has also worked at Sporthill Inc. directing team sales and Fun Run Sports Co. in St. Augustine, Florida.

"I'm very excited to be coming to a program with so much established success,” Gerard said. “Working with Coach McKinnon and the track and cross country teams with so much depth and leadership is an opportunity I'm looking forward to.”

"I am very happy we were able to attract Gerard to be part of the program for next year,” McKinnon said. “I am optimistic that he will stay with us, giving stability to the program."

Gerard graduated from the University of Iowa in 1994 with a BA degree in Journalism and from the University of Oregon in 2000 with a Masters in Education. While at Iowa, he earned All-Big Ten honors in the steeplechase. Gerard also earned All-Academic Big Ten honors all four years, and served as the captain of the Iowa cross country team his senior year. He has run several marathons finishing 4th overall in the Portland Marathon, first American at the Stockholm Marathon and a personal best 2:29 at the Grandma's Marathon.