(Story courtesy of Trinity University)
(Photo courtesy of Josh Moczygemba)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Trinity University Director of Athletics Bob King has announced the appointment of Emily (Loeffler) Daum as the head coach of the Tigers men's and women's cross country teams.
Coach Daum, a 2009 Trinity graduate and San Antonio (O'Connor High School) native, served as an assistant to Derick Lawrence, who held the head coaching position for the past two years. In addition, Coach Daum will continue as an assistant coach of Trinity's track and field teams, focusing on distance runners.
"Emily is one of Trinity's all-time greats in cross country and track and field," Mr. King said, "and I am confident that she is ready to assume her new role as the next Tiger head coach. "As we continue to develop a nationally competitive cross country program here at Trinity, I am sure the runners will thrive under her leadership."
Coach Daum played a major role in the Tigers' cross country success over the past two seasons.
Trinity's women's team finished 20th at the 2013 NCAA Division III Championships. The Tigers qualified for the meet by winning the NCAA South/Southeast Regional. It marked the second consecutive Regional title for Trinity's women's team, and fourth overall. Trinity's men finished ninth at the Regional Championships. The 2012 Tiger women placed 12th at the NCAA Championships, for the second-best performance in school history. The Tiger men finished in 32nd place, while competing in their first NCAA Team Championship.
"Being named head coach at my alma mater has been a dream come true," Coach Daum said. "I've been involved in the Trinity and San Antonio running communities for over a decade, and it gives me great pride to take a more prominent role in it. I'm grateful to Bob King and the rest of the Tiger sports staff for their support and encouragement, and I look forward to contributing to the tradition of academic and athletic excellence at Trinity."
Both Trinity teams have captured the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships for two years in a row. The women's squad amassed a perfect score of 15 points at the 2013 meet, while the men chalked up 28 points.
Coach Daum earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Trinity in May 2009, with concentrations in marketing and management. Her minor was physical education.
She was a four-time All-American at Trinity, garnering the honor in cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Coach Daum was also a two-time SCAC Runner of the Year, in both cross country and track and field.
As a student-athlete, the talented Coach Daum led Tiger cross country to its highest finish in program history. Trinity placed sixth at the 2008 NCAA Championships, while Coach Daum finished No. 17 in the individual competition.
She earned the distinction of becoming Trinity's first cross country All-American, male or female.
Coach Daum is a six-time Trinity record-holder in cross country (5k and 6k), indoor track (3,000 meters), and outdoor track (1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, and 3,000-meter steeplechase).
She was the recipient of the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Internship Grant Program, which led to a two-year appointment at Trinity's Department of Athletics (2009-2011) as Coordinator of Marketing and Promotions, and Assistant to the Director of Athletics, and Sports Information Director.
Coach Daum received a master's degree in kinesiology in May 2011 from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. During the same month, she married Jeremy Daum, a former Trinity cross country standout. Both have turned in top performances in many road races, including San Antonio's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.
