BOLIVAR, MO -- SBU Director of Athletics, Brent Good, is pleased to announce the new head men's and women’s cross country and track coach. Corey McElhaney, an outstanding former cross country, indoor and outdoor athlete, will take over the helm and replace Coach Jeff DeLong. McElhaney served as a volunteer coach for one year under Coach DeLong and assisted in the success of both the men's and women’s teams.

***image1:left***McElhaney is a native of Elgin, OK, and attended Coffeyville Community College, where he was a two-time all American. McElhaney transferred to SBU and was a key member of the recruiting class that started the success of the cross country and track program. He was a 5-time All-MIAA athlete at SBU.

SBU President, C. Pat Taylor is “excited to have Corey join the SBU coaching staff. He has been a vital part of SBU’s progress. Our students and staff look forward to his proven leadership on our cross country and track & field teams.”

McElhaney will lead the team (13 women and 15 men) to the MIAA Championships this weekend in Hays, KS. Senior T. Jay Sanderson is SBU’s only NCAA Championship qualifier at this time, posting provisional times in the 5000 meter run and 3000 meter steeple-chase. There are several athletes who will compete in ‘last chance’ meets after the MIAA Conference meet and will be attempting to meet NCAA qualifying or provisional times as well for the NCAA Track Championships on May 25-26 in Charlotte, NC. 

Coach McElhaney will immediately hit the recruiting trail to follow up on athletes who have been waiting for the hiring of a new coach.  McElhaney plans to build off of the success of this year’s team. He has trained and worked under Coach Jeff DeLong and will continue DeLong’s training philosophy which has brought SBU’s cross country and track programs from the bottom of the conference to conference contention and national rankings.

McElhaney is married to Christine (Showler) McElhaney, who also was an All-MIAA athlete at SBU.