UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University athletic department and Athletics Director Mike Watson announced the hiring of Rod Cowan as the head coach of the Cardinal men's and women's cross country and track & field programs. Cowan comes to SVSU from Marshall University (W.V.), a Division I school that competes in the Conference USA (C-USA). He will begin his duties later this month.
"It is an honor that Saginaw Valley State University placed this confidence in me to continue the rich tradition of its track and cross country programs," said Cowan. "It is my charge to continue and build on the tradition and past successes of both programs, and it is my goal to not just compete for conference championships, but also to consistently compete at the highest level nationally. I believe this is going to be a great fit for me personally and professionally."
Cowan was currently in his fifth season as a coach on the Marshall staff. In his first season, he coached the sprinters to three school records, including the 100m, 4x200 and 4x100. During his second year, two more school records were broken, in the 60m and the 4x400.
In 2009, Cowan had one of his best seasons ever as a coach, his accomplishments included training six athletes whom set school records, and helping Kristin Smith win the C-USA title in the penthathlon.
"Saginaw Valley could not have found an all-around better person, he is a fantastic coach with an unbelievable work ethic. He is 100% dedicated to the program and producing great student-athletes, I couldn't be more pleased for Rod and his family as they make this transition," commented Jeff Small, head track and field coach at Marshall University.
Cowan joined the Marshall coaching staff after numerous years and successes at the high school level in South Carolina. An Anderson, S.C. native, Cowan was named the Anderson Independent Male "Coach of the Year" in 2004 and was a seven-time S.C. Region 1-AAAA coach of the year. Cowan became a USATF level II certified coach in 2003.
"Our search process for a new head cross country/track & field coach was extensive, with a number of quality candidates," commented Director of Athletics Mike Watson. "Rod Cowan stood out as having been successful at all levels he coached. We feel that Rod will be an asset to our university, athletic department and our cross and track programs. We are pleased to have Rod and his family join the Cardinal community."
Cowan's successes have come on all levels; state, regional and national. On the state level, Cowan coached his team to a pair of state runner-up titles. In Region 1-AAAA, Cowan's teams won seven conference titles. Cowan coached two national champion shuttle relays; the 2004 NIC boys shuttle relay team that set the new meet record as well as the national outdoor shuttle relay record and the 2005 NIC girls' shuttle relay team. Cowan had three track and field All-Americans during his tenure as a high school coach.
A graduate of Claflin University of Orangeburg, S.C., Cowan is married to the former Shaneka Johnson and has two children, Shericka and Kelan.