FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sharpe Named Interim Director in of AIC XC, Track & Field
With the departure of Leo Mayo, until now, the first and only head coach the American International College cross country and track and field teams, a new era begins at the College. Director of Athletics Jessica Chapin announced on Thursday, July 1, 2021, that Logan Sharpe will be the interim director of cross country and track and field.
"Logan is both a person with a proven record of success and someone we believe has an incredibly high ceiling for how far he can take our cross country and track and field programs. His dedication to excellence and knowledge of his craft has already been evident in the impact he has had on the programs as an assistant coach, and we anticipate that upward trajectory to continue with him at the helm," Chapin said.
"I would like to thank Jessica Chapin, who made this special opportunity possible, entrusting me to become the director of track and field and cross country at American International College," Sharpe said. "Today would not have been possible if Leo Mayo had not hired me as his assistant three years ago. I was fortunate to learn under his mentorship, and I thank him for helping me coach at the highest level, the AIC way. When I started with him, we talked about making AIC a track and field and cross country dynasty and make history. Although his shoes of success are difficult to fill, I look forward to the opportunity and the challenge to do so in my own way with the blueprint he has written," he added.
Sharpe, who joined the program three seasons ago, is intimately familiar with the Northeast-10 Conference. As a student-athlete at rival Southern Connecticut State University, Sharpe was a nine-time All-American sprinter and hurdler. He then became an assistant coach at SCSU before being named the head men's track and field coach at the University of New Haven, with one of his student-athletes earning All-American status.
Since joining AIC in 2018, Sharpe, who has worked most directly with the sprinters and hurdlers, has had a tremendous impact. He has twice been named USTFCCCA East Region Assistant Coach of the Year, winning for his work during the outdoor season in 2019 and the 2019-20 indoor season. The athletes he has most closely coached have earned a combined seven All-American awards in addition to countless All-Region and a variety of academic honors.
Perhaps most notably, Sharpe was the catalyst behind the women's outdoor track and field championship win at the Northeast-10 Conference meet in 2021, the first in the 15-year history of the program. Sharpe's athletes were responsible for 97 of the 114 points the team earned in taking the crown from the favored Stonehill squad, including Co-Most Outstanding Track Performer winner Wahjerjay Blango, and overall meet scoring leader Roxan Foster.
Adding to the packed trophy case is the goal going forward. "I'm motivated more than ever to lead such a strong program. To the alumni, current and future student athletes who have come out and supported me and the team on this journey, I sincerely thank you," Sharpe said.
-Release provided by American International athletic communications-
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