Cross Country | 8/10/2012 9:22:00 AM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Methodist University Director of Athletics Bob McEvoy has announced the hiring of Roland Whiting as head coach of the men's women's track and field and cross country programs.
 
"Coach Whiting brings a wealth of impressive experiences both on the track and as a head coach, as we strive to continue to build upon our success in track & field and improve our cross country programs,” McEvoy said. “Coach Whiting is well respected among Division III track and field coaches and student-athletes. We look forward to working with him as he leads our programs in the years ahead."
 
Whiting spent four seasons as head coach of the men's and women's cross country teams at Neumann University. He joined Neumann as the programs were reinstated in 2008 after a seven-year hiatus. After his first year, the Knights decided to add track and field and Whiting has built the program from the ground up coaching both programs the last two years.
 
"I would like to thank Athletic Director Bob McEvoy and the athletics staff for selecting me for this position,” Whiting said. “I am proud and honored to have this opportunity and I greatly appreciate everyone who was involved in this process.”
 
The Methodist women's track and field team has grown leaps and bounds over the last few years under the leadership of Duane Ross. During the last two years the women placed in the top five in NCAA Division III at both the indoor and outdoor championships.
 
“Coach Ross did a great job with the team over the past few years,” Whiting added. “I am excited to build on the successes he has achieved as well as create some of my own successes within the Monarch cross country and track and field community. I look forward to the future success of the Monarch cross country and track and field teams."
 
Whiting worked to build both programs during his tenure at Neumann. Most recently, the women's cross country team placed fourth at the conference championships. Since the reinstatement of cross country the program has produced more than 30 All-Academic Conference athletes. In the Knights' short track and field history, Whiting's programs began to receive national and regional recognition with their first NCAA track and field championships appearance, which produced their first All-American. Whiting also coached six All-ECAC performers and 18 Mason Dixon All-Conference performers.
 
Before coaching at Neumann, Whiting was an assistant coach on Lincoln's 2007 NCAA Division III national championship indoor team. Whiting helped to train several All-American athletes at Lincoln including 2007 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist Ashley Parker.
 
Whiting was a 12-time All-American and a member of five NCAA Division III national championship teams as a student-athlete at Lincoln. He is also a member of the school record 4x100-meter relay team. Whiting earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education & Recreation.
 
Prior to returning to Lincoln, Whiting was an assistant track and field coach at Widener University, where he helped the Pride win three Middle-Atlantic Conference championships. He also coached four All-Americans and a host of national championship qualifiers. Whiting also coached at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia where he produced nine all-Catholic athletes and five state qualifiers.
 
Whiting is a member of USTFCCCA and USATF associations.