HOLLAND -- Alumnus and former All-MIAA athlete Kevin Cole will return to his alma mater to guide the fortunes of the Hope College men's and women's track and field program.

The appointment, effective with the 2005-06 school year, has been announced by Dr. Richard Ray, chair of the kinesiology department. Cole will also have the academic rank of associate professor.

"We are delighted to have Kevin Cole joining our faculty. He is an experienced educator and coach who will be a fine addition to both our academic program and to the track and field team," said Ray. "Our student-athletes deserve coaches who are experts in their sports, who model the qualities and characteristics we want our students to develop, and who will care for them as whole persons both on and off the field of competition. Kevin Cole is just such a coach and we are lucky to have him as a colleague."

A 1988 Hope graduate, Cole is leaving Adrian College where he chairs the department of exercise science and physical education and is an associate professor. Prior to joining the Adrian faculty in 1998, he taught and coached track and field at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He holds the masters of science degree in physical education from Texas Christian University and the Ph.D. in human bioenergetics from Ball State University.

Cole was a four-time All-MIAA athlete, twice in both cross country and track. He was a two-time MIAA champion in the 800-meter run, setting Hope and conference records in the event. He was co-captain of the cross country and track & field teams as a senior.

He is a native of Jenison, Mich. His wife, Lynn Kingma Cole, is a 1990 Hope graduate. The Coles have three children.

Hope's track and field program this spring has been led on an interim basis by by Mark Northuis who is also Hope's cross country coach. Former track and field coach Dereck Chavis resigned to accept the position as cross country and track and field coach at Murray State University.

-30-

• Share
• Tweet
• Post