FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo announced the hiring of Tommy Barksdale as the second head cross country coach in program history July 29.

“I am very excited that Tommy will be joining our staff,” said Montevallo athletic director Jim Herlihy. “He brings tremendous experience and success as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach to our program. His coaching and recruiting abilities give him a foundation to further develop our cross country athletes.”

Barksdale comes to Montevallo after spending the previous two seasons as head cross country and track and field coach at Division I Morehead State University. Prior to his time at Morehead State, he spent two seasons as assistant coach at Division I Troy University, one season as an assistant at Wallace State Community College and one season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Falcons as he helped get the women’s program started.

“I would like to thank Dr. Stewart and Mr. Herlihy for this opportunity,” Barksdale said. “I am very excited to be the next head coach for the University of Montevallo. This program has come a long way in a very short time and I am looking to continue this success.”

During his time at Morehead State, Barksdale helped 33 athletes set personal bests in cross country and 37 athletes hit personal records in outdoor track. Both of his teams placed in the top-six at the Ohio Valley Conference championships during his tenure. His teams won two conference Sportsmanship Awards and earned two All-Academic team honors from USTFCCCA.

While at Troy he helped guide both the men’s and women’s cross country teams to top-seven finishes at the conference championships. He guided both teams to All-Academic team awards during his time as well.

During his stay at Wallace State the team had two NJCAA Indoor All-Americans and three Outdoor All-Americans. The men’s cross country team finished as the Region XXII runners-up.

As an athlete, Barksdale competed at Bevill State Community College for two years before transferring to Division I Mississippi State University. While at Bevill State he was team captain of the NJCAA National Championship winning team, he was named All-Region and was elected as a representative to the USOC Running Camp.

Barksdale graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s of arts in political science in 2002. He is USA Track and Field Level I certified and took part in the USTFCCCA Convention in 2010 and the Super Distance Summit in 2010 and 2011. He will begin his duties as head coach at Montevallo in the beginning of August.