Upton Named Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Director of Track & Field and Cross-Country

Erikka Sansom, Director of Athletic Communications 

Bethany, W.Va. – Bethany College Director of Athletics Jill Willson has announced that appointment of Andy Upton as the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Director of Track & Field and Cross-Country.

"It's with great pleasure to announce Andy Upton into his new role here at Bethany" said Jill Willson. "Andy's commitment to Bethany College has been fantastic over the last 18 years and we really look forward to his continued success."

Upton's resume at Bethany stretches all the way back to the early 2000's. In 2003, Upton came to Bethany as the head track and field coach and assistant football coach working with primarily the wide receivers.

In Upton's new role, he will continue his duties with the track and field programs but step down from the Bison football coaching staff.

"After 18 years of coaching two sports here at Bethany, I am looking forward to putting all of my energy into one area now" expressed Upton. "My number one goal is to rebuild the Track and Field Programs back to the championship program it use to be."

A two-time PAC Indoor Track and Field Champion (2015, 2016) and a three-time PAC Coach of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016), Upton has produced one three-time All-American, a two-time All-American, a one-time All-American and 16 national qualifiers. Most recently, he guided Riley Meyers to become Bethany's first female to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2021.

"I have had the opportunity to coach so many great athletes and even better people in both sports" added Upton. "While I will miss football, I am beyond excited to get to work with both programs and make our alums proud of our future successes down the road."

Upton has also coached seven PAC MVP's, 50+ conference champions, over 150 all-conference performers, and over 100 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) qualifiers, including Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed, who was the 2017 ECAC outdoor champion in the long jump and the Most Outstanding Field Athlete at the 2018 championships.

"I would like to thank President Jamie Caridi and Director of Athletics Jill Willson in sharing that same vision to make this possibility become a reality" added Upton. "I truly believe that Bethany is a very special place and I am excited to continue the Bethany tradition for years to come." 

Upton earned his undergraduate from West Virginia Tech and his master's at West Virginia Wesleyan. He resides in Wheeling, W.Va. with his wife, Becky and their sons Christopher and Matthew.