FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mark Carroll Announced as B.A.A. High Performance Coach
BOSTON, Mass. - The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced
that Mark Carroll has been named head coach of the B.A.A. High Performance
team. Carroll, a two-time Olympian for Ireland and collegiate coach for
more than a decade, will lead the Boston-based team effective December 2.
"I am excited to get to Boston, meet the team, and get to work immediately
to continue the development of the high-performance squad," said Carroll.
"2020 is an important year with the Olympic Trials approaching and it is a
tremendous honor to coach and guide the B.A.A. athletes as they train to
achieve their goals of making international teams. I am looking forward to
working with everyone at the B.A.A. and a very successful future for the
program."
The B.A.A. High Performance team supports American runners on their way
towards making international teams, with the goal of competing at the
highest level: the Olympic Games, IAAF World Championships, and Abbott
World Marathon Majors. The B.A.A. is sponsored by adidas, which provides
comprehensive support for the running club, Team B.A.A., and its events.
Carroll comes to the B.A.A. from Drake University, where he spent the last
two and a half years as Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. Prior
to coaching at Drake, Carroll served eight years as the head cross country
coach at Auburn University, leading the Tigers to four All-American
finishes and six Southeastern Conference titles.
"As the B.A.A. looks ahead to the 2020 Olympic year and beyond, we are
deeply gratified to have Mark Carroll at the helm leading our B.A.A. High
Performance team," said Tom Grilk, Chief Executive Officer of the B.A.A.
"Mark brings tremendous international and national experience as both a
coach and athlete to the B.A.A. We are eager to welcome him to Boston, and
look forward to the team's continued growth and success."
Serving in an Assistant Coach capacity for the B.A.A. High Performance team
will be Morgan Uceny, a 2012 Olympian at 1,500-meters and three-time USA
Track & Field national champion. Uceny has previously guided the B.A.A.
High Performance team in areas of strength and conditioning.
A native of Cork, Ireland, Carroll's ties to New England run through
Providence, as he earned six All-American honors and an NCAA Indoor title
in the 5,000-meters while competing for Providence College.
Post-collegiately, Carroll set numerous Irish national records spanning
distances from 3,000-meters to 10,000-meters. He competed in both the 2000
and 2004 Olympic Games in the 5,000-meters, and gained further
international experience at six World Championships.
Carroll was European Champion in the 3,000-meters indoors (2000) and also
earned a bronze medal at the 1998 European Outdoor Championships
(5,000-meters). He is widely regarded as one of Ireland's best distance
runners in history.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Carroll represented
Ireland as the country's distance coach at both the 2012 London Olympic
Games and the 2010 European Championships in Spain.
The B.A.A. has featured competitive track and field and road racing teams
since the organization's early years in the 1880's and 1890's. With
athletes specializing in the 800-meters through the marathon, the B.A.A.'s
aim is to develop top competitors for national and international
competition. Under Carroll, the B.A.A. will look to continue this tradition
while also providing additional focus on developing the next generation of
top U.S. marathoners.
For more information on the B.A.A.'s High Performance team, please visit
www.TeamBAA.org.
ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND ITS HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAM
Established in 1887, the B.A.A. is a non-profit organization committed to
running and has played an integral role in the support and development of
the sport throughout the United States since its inception. From fielding
athletes who competed at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896
through those who compete in the Boston Marathon and the B.A.A.'s other
road races, year-round events and programs, the pursuit of excellence in
middle and long distance running has stood at the fore of the organization.
The B.A.A. seeks to continue the development of world-class athletes who
will compete at national championships, Olympics, and Abbott World Marathon
Majors races.
###
|
