Upton accepts new role within Bethany Athletics Department

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College Director of Athletics Brian Sansom has announced that Andy Upton has accepted a new role within the athletics department. Upton will step into the role of Assistant Director of Athletics for Facilities, Operations, and Intramurals; Associate Head Cross Country, Track and Field Coach.

"We're pleased Andy will take on this new critical role in the athletic department that will not only serve our students well but also the community," says Sansom. "In Andy's new role, he will continue to be a tremendous asset not only to our coaches and student-athletes, but to the College as a whole."

In Upton's new role, he will continue to serve as the department's travel coordinator along with coordinating all operations of the College's athletic facilities and assisting in all game day operations. He will serve as the liaison for athletics camps and rentals of the athletic facilities while implementing a new robust intramural program for the Bethany College student body.

Upton has served as the head track and field coach since 2003. Over the last 19 years, Upton has led the Bison to two indoor PAC Championships in 2015 and 2016, while earning PAC Coach of the Year for indoor track and field for three consecutive seasons beginning in 2014. Upton has produced top talent while at the helm of the Bison, including one three-time All-American, a two-time All-American, a one-time All-American and 17 national qualifiers.

Adding to those impressive feats, Upton has coached seven PAC MVP's, 50+ conference champions, over 150 all-conference performers and over 100 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. Along with Moore's three-time All-America status, Upton coached Matt Cruse (2007-2010) to a pair of All-America honors. Cruse became the school's first two-time All-American, earning the honor at both the 2007 Indoor Championships (55m Hurdles - 4th) and the 2008 Outdoor Championships (110 Hurdles - 7th)

Most recently, he helped guide junior javelin thrower Grace Tice to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in May. Tice finished 17th and earned multiple postseason honors. In 2021, Riley Meyers '21 became the first track and field female athlete to qualify for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She competed in the 400m hurdles and finished 18th.

The department will begin a national search for a new Head Cross-Country, Track and Field Coach immediately.