Ball State University Athletics
Etelman Named Track & Field / Cross Country Head Coach
July 31, 2015 | Cross Country, Track & Field
  MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State University has selected Brian Etelman, a two-time All-American sprinter who has served as an assistant coach at Miami University for the past four seasons, as the new head coach of the Cardinals' track & field and cross country programs, according to director of intercollegiate athletics Mark Sandy.
  "I am very pleased Brian has agreed to become the head coach of our track & field and cross country programs," Sandy said. "His proven record of recruiting, experience in the MAC and plans for the future make him an ideal leader for our programs."
  Etelman joined the Miami women's track & field coaching staff in September 2011 and has made a dramatic impact as the program's sprints, hurdles, jumps and relays coach. He has helped RedHawks' student-athletes capture seven Mid-American Conference event championships over his four-year tenure, as well as establish 11 program records and a pair of MAC Championship meet marks. In addition, his student-athletes have captured nine All-MAC honors and advanced to the NCAA East Preliminary Round on five occasions.
  "I want to thank Mark Sandy, Joe Hernandez and all of the administration for their support and belief in allowing me this wonderful opportunity," Etelman said. "To say I am excited and ready to go as the new head coach at Ball State would be an incredible understatement. I've had the fortune of seeing firsthand the limitless potential of the program, and I know without a doubt, the sky is the limit for the future of Ball State track & field and cross country."
  Miami's sprinters and hurdlers dominated the 2013 MAC Outdoor Championships under Etelman's tutelage, winning five event titles including both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. It marked the first time since 2009 a program had swept the relays and was just the second time in program history the RedHawks had won each event. Miami went on to place fourth in the meet, with Etelman's group accounting for 68 of the team's 105 points.
  Prior to joining the Miami staff, Etelman served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Central Missouri for the 2010-11 season, where he worked with both the men's and women's sprinters, hurdlers and relays. As a member of the UCM staff, he coached numerous NCAA Division II Championship qualifiers and helped guide the women's squad to sixth-place finishes at both the indoor and outdoor championships, while the men's program placed fourth at the indoor meet and eighth at the outdoor event.
  During the 2008-09 season, Etelman was a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Georgia, where he helped instruct the men's and women's sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers. While working on the Bulldogs' staff, he assisted in the development of several student-athletes who earned All-America honors and SEC event championships. He also worked with Olympic trials finalists.
  As a student-athlete at Georgia in 2007, Etelman earned All-America accolades in the 4x400m relay which turned in a runner-up finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and continues to boast the second-fastest time in program history. Etelman also ran in the 4x100m relay which placed third at the 2007 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships with the sixth-best time in Bulldogs' history.
  A member of the 2007 NCAA All-East Regional team, Etelman placed seventh in the 200m dash at the 2007 SEC Outdoor Championships. He also finished his Georgia career ranked eighth on the program's all-time indoor performance list in the 200m dash. In the classroom, Etelman served on the Academic Roundtable at Georgia and was named to the 2007 SEC Spring Honor Roll.
  Following graduation from Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga., Etelman attended Clayton State University before transferring to Georgia in 2006. At CSU, Etelman was an NCAA Division II All-American and Peach Belt Conference All-Academic team selection. He still holds school records in the 55m dash, 60m dash, outdoor 200m dash, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay.
  "My goal is simple," Etelman added. "To make Ball State a legitimate contender at all levels within the MAC, the region and the NCAA. We want to develop a program which will make the athletic department, the University, our alumni and the state of Indiana proud. With all of our student-athletes and staff on board, we are committed to accepting and conquering all challenges placed in front of us, and I cannot wait to begin moving us in the direction we all know we are capable of achieving."
  A native of Marietta, Ga., Etelman earned his bachelor's degree in history from Georgia in 2007. He is a certified USATF Level I coach.Â
  For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field and cross country, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateTrack and @BallStateXC on Twitter.
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