Wells Tabs Tim Ingall To Lead Men's and Women's Cross Country
AURORA, N.Y. - Wells College Athletics Director Lyn LaBar is pleased to announce that two coaches have been hired. Jack Eckhardt will be the College's swimming coach, and Tim Ingall will lead the newly formed cross-country teams.
John "Jack" Eckhardt of Homer, New York will begin his full-time duties as head women's and men's swim coach on August 1. He will be responsible for managing and developing all aspects of the women's and men's club swim programs, will serve as aquatics coordinator, and will teach aquatic-related physical education classes.
"Jack brings to Wells a great sense of enthusiasm, determination, and positive energy surrounding his plan to develop the Wells swim program," says LaBar. "His background and experience will assist him in taking our women's program to the next level and starting a men's program. I'm confident that Jack will provide some much needed stability to the program, and I am excited that he will be joining us at this pivotal time for Wells athletics."
Eckhardt most recently taught physical education and was head modified lacrosse coach for the Horseheads School District in Horseheads, New York. He has also served as assistant swim coach for the Kingston Swim Club in Kingston, New York and for the SUNY-Cortland swim team. He is the founder and head coach of the Cortland Adapted Swim Team, and is a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE). He received his B.S. and M.S. in physical education from SUNY-Cortland.
"I'm looking forward to working with a great group of students, and guiding them to athletic excellence over the next few years," says Jack. "I'm also really excited to have the chance to continue building the women's swim program, and to developing a new men's program."
Also starting in early August is part-time women's and men's cross-country coach Tim Ingall of Lansing, New York. Tim will organize practices, prepare runners to participate in meets, recruit student-athletes, and assist with meet scheduling and the development of new running courses for the cross-country program. Because Wells does not yet have its own courses, student-athletes will participate in away invitationals in this inaugural year.
"We are most fortunate to have secured Tim Ingall as head coach of our newly established cross-country program," says LaBar. "Tim has extensive knowledge in the sport, has a great passion for running, and is very active in local running clubs and track communities."
An avid runner and sports enthusiast for 30 years, Ingall holds a USATF Level I certificate in track and field coaching. In addition to being a member of the High Noon running group at Cornell University, he is on the executive board of the Finger Lakes Runners Club, where he organizes several track meets and races each year. Through the FLRC, he introduced and coordinates the annual Family Fun Run each March, and the "Forge the Gorgeous Trail" race at Fillmore Glen in August. Tim received a Higher National Diploma from Writtle Agricultural College in Essex, England, and is also employed as general manager of Sheffield's Seed Company in Locke, New York. He now competes at the Master's level in running competitions.
"This is an exciting opportunity for me to start up a new sport at Wells," says Ingall. "I expect that the new cross-country program will attract more students and be successful. I'm pleased to be an active leader in this process."
Athletics plays an important role as Wells seeks to recruit and retain more students. In March, Michael Paolini was hired as Wells' men's soccer coach. The new soccer team will play the 2005-06 season at the club level and will elevate to varsity in 2006-07. Starting out as a club program will allow Paolini time to develop a recruiting base upon which to build before elevating to varsity status in 2006.
Wells' athletic facilities are also undergoing significant renovations. A men's locker room is being expanded, and cardio and weight rooms are receiving upgrades. A new entrance to the Schwartz Student Union will welcome athletes, the sports medicine training room will be moved and enlarged, and coaches' office space enhanced. Outdoor projects include resurfacing existing tennis courts and the development of cross-country running trails. The improved facilities will be available to student-athletes arriving on campus for the Fall 2005 semester.
