Webster Hires Kelly Parsley to Head Cross Country/Track Program

ST. LOUIS - Webster University Athletics has named Kelly Parsley, a coach with 12 years experience at the collegiate and high school level, as its Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach for both its men's and women's programs.

Parsley coached men's and women's cross country at Lake Forest College (IL), an NCAA III program, for four years, earning the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2006. Under his direction, 10 runners earned All-Midwest Conference honors and 35 were named Academic All-Conference.

Prior to Lake Forest, Parsley established the men's and women's cross country programs at Goldey Beacom College (DE), where he was named the Central Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2003. While at Goldey Beacom, Parsley started a track and field club team as well, and helped transition the athletics program from NAIA membership to the NCAA Division II.

Parsley coached high school track and field at Hodgson Vo-Tech High School in Delaware for eight years, and most recently coached cross-country and track & field at Vincentian Academy in Pittsburgh, PA.

Parsley replaces Dusty Lopez, who started the track & field program at Webster in 2008. Lopez left to pursue personal opportunities, and will be a volunteer for the University of Michigan cross country and track staffs.

On his appointment, Parsley said, "I want to thank Athletic Director Tom Hart and the Webster Administration for giving me this amazing opportunity. Webster University has a lot to offer a student athlete and I look forward to bringing those students into the Gorlok family. This is the opportunity I have always wanted. I plan on building on Coach Lopez' success with the programs, carrying on the winning tradition Webster Athletics have become accustomed to."

Hart commented, "Through the entire hiring process, the selection committee was impressed with Kelly's attention to detail, his passion, and his fit with the Division III philosophy. We look forward to growing, and competitive, cross country and track programs at Webster for years to come under coach Parsley. We welcome the addition of another strong 'team' member to our coaching staff."

Courtesy Webster University sports information