LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Eli Kaczinski has been named the next head cross country/track and field coach at Covenant College, announced Director of Athletics John Hirte on Wednesday.

Kaczinski becomes the 14th head coach of the cross country programs and the second head coach in the history of track and field.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to accept this position at Covenant College," said Kaczinski. "I feel blessed to be able to step into an established program like the Scots, and to continue the legacy that [previous head coach] Katie Stanford built. I would like to thank my wife, Yvonne, for being so supportive of my dreams and sharing in my excitement. I'd also like to thank my parents, Coach Chapman, Coach Spitzer, Coach Grime, and Coach Anderson and Coach Johnson, as well as my church family back in Greenwood, S.C."

"It became apparent during our initial conversations that he has a true heart for discipleship, a love and appreciation for the NCAA Division III philosophy, and a passion using cross country/track and field as a means of mentoring young men and women and aiding them in their walk with Christ," said Hirte. "I'm excited to see what is in store for these programs under his leadership."

Kaczinski spent the spring of 2022 as an assistant cross country/track coach at Erskine where he worked with middle distance and distance runners. He also has college coaching experience at Heidelberg and at Wartburg.

Over his coaching career, Kaczinski has produced two NCAA Division III national qualifiers and four All-Region honorees.

"I'm very thankful for how welcoming the Covenant family has made Yvonne and me feel from the start," added Kaczinski. "It's certainly made this transition easier knowing we're stepping into an incredible community on the mountain."

An All-American cross country runner at Wartburg, Kaczinski earned a degree in fitness management and business in 2018. He was a three-time national qualifier in cross country at Wartburg and earned a national championship appearance once in track. He was a three-time conference champion in track and helped Wartburg to a pair of conference titles.

Kaczinski also holds a master's degree in education from Heidelberg.

He takes over the Covenant programs as it enters the newly-formed Collegiate Conference of the South. 

"My number one goal for the men's and women's teams this year is to grow their faith in Jesus Christ," said Kaczinski. "I'm looking forward to discipling and mentoring each of them in their spiritual walk. Athletically, we are a younger team with almost half of our roster being freshman. However, I believe we have the right leadership and talent to really come together and make some noise by the end of the season. The future looks bright, and I'm eager to continue our rich tradition by competing at a very high level."

The Kaczinski-era of Covenant cross country and track begins on Sept. 1 when the Scots travel to Berry College's Watermelon Run.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.