June 2, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - In a move to reorganize the track and field and cross country programs, Walt Drenth has been named the director of men's and women's track and field and cross country, according to an announcement made by Athletics Director Ron Mason on Friday, June 2. Drenth was appointed head coach of the men's track and field team on May 11 and is entering his third year as the men's cross country head coach. Drenth will now handle the additional duties of directing the women's track and field and cross country programs.

"I'm honored that Ron Mason and Karen Langeland believe in me and believe our staff is capable of moving both programs forward in the right direction," said Drenth. "I know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but that's part of the challenge. In order for the athletes to reach their potential, they will also have to assume a role in their success. It's going to be a group effort between the coaches and the athletes, and that's exciting. I'm going to surround the program with good people that I can trust a great deal, which will in turn help us accomplish our goals."

Mason also announced that second-year assistant Rita Arndt-Molis and first-year assistant Chris Campbell will remain on staff. Michigan State did not renew the contract of Angela Goodman, who served as the women's track and field head coach the past eight seasons, or Randy Huntington, who was an assistant for one year.

Drenth, who was named interim head coach of the men's track and field program in January, guided a young team to a successful season in 2006. The Spartans qualified 10 athletes for the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, including Brad Gebauer, who claimed first place in the pole vault and advanced to the NCAA Championships. Jeremy Orr, who runs the 400 meters, will also compete in the NCAA Championships next week. At the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, hosted by MSU, the Spartans delivered one of their finest team performances in years, collecting 49 points, the most since 1999. The Spartans scored in eight events, and Gebauer and Mark Langlois were chosen as All-Big Ten selections.