Marquette University Athletics
Rogers & Birren Promoted Within MU Track and Field, Cross Country Programs
1/14/2020 10:44:00āÆAM | Cross Country, Track & Field
Birren drops 'interim' tag while Rogers set to oversee both programs
MILWAUKEE ā The Marquette University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced two internal promotions in its track and field and cross country programs.
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Head track and field coach Bert Rogers, who has led the program for the past 13 seasons, is now the director of track and field and cross country, while former interim head cross country coach Sean Birren is the permanent head coach of the men's and women's cross country teams.
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Rogers will oversee both the track and field and cross country programs.
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"I am elated to promote Bert and Sean within the Marquette University cross country and track and field programs," Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl said. "They have been able to maintain a consistent level of success within both programs and our student-athletes are succeeding at a high level, both academically and athletically."
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During Rogers' 16 years with Marquette (13 as a head coach and three as an assistant), six Golden Eagles teams have won BIG EAST Conference Championships. The six-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year has had 230 all-conference performers and 50 BIG EAST individual champions under his tutelage. The Janesville, Wisconsin native has helped coach three NCAA All-Americans in the past five seasons.
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"I am honored and excited to take on this new role overseeing both track and field and cross country," Rogers said. "This program has a rich tradition and history that I am proud to oversee and build upon. I am excited to continue to work with Coach Koenning, Coach Bellford, the rest of our tremendous staff and volunteers. I wholeheartedly welcome Coach Birren as our new head cross country coach and look forward to building upon the success of the MU track and field and cross country legacy."
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Birren, who began at MU as volunteer assistant distance coach in the summer of 2012, was named the interim head cross country coach in August after former head coach Mike Nelson left for Monmouth University. He also coaches the middle and long-distance runners on the track and field team.
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He led the cross country programs to a banner season in 2019 as the Golden Eagles had four All-BIG EAST honorees for the first time in program history. The men's team tied its best-ever finish at the BIG EAST Championships, placing fourth with a program-best 99 points. The women's team finished sixth in the conference for the second straight year with 149 points.
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"It's an honor to be entrusted to lead the cross country and distance programs into the future with Bert and the rest of the staff at MU," Birren said. "Whether we are going through good times or rough patches, it's been incredible to see our department come together with the ultimate goal of caring for the student-athletes. I'm so excited to see where the road ahead leads, and I'm blessed to be a part of it all."
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The Golden Eagles continue their indoor track and field season on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the John Tierney Invitational, hosted by Milwaukee. The meet will begin at 10 a.m. at the Klotsche Center.
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Keep up with the Marquette cross countryĀ program through social media by following on Twitter (@MUTFXC) and Instagram (@MUTFXC) and `liking' on Facebook (/MUTFXC).Ā
Ā
Head track and field coach Bert Rogers, who has led the program for the past 13 seasons, is now the director of track and field and cross country, while former interim head cross country coach Sean Birren is the permanent head coach of the men's and women's cross country teams.
Ā
Rogers will oversee both the track and field and cross country programs.
Ā
"I am elated to promote Bert and Sean within the Marquette University cross country and track and field programs," Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl said. "They have been able to maintain a consistent level of success within both programs and our student-athletes are succeeding at a high level, both academically and athletically."
Ā
During Rogers' 16 years with Marquette (13 as a head coach and three as an assistant), six Golden Eagles teams have won BIG EAST Conference Championships. The six-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year has had 230 all-conference performers and 50 BIG EAST individual champions under his tutelage. The Janesville, Wisconsin native has helped coach three NCAA All-Americans in the past five seasons.
Ā
"I am honored and excited to take on this new role overseeing both track and field and cross country," Rogers said. "This program has a rich tradition and history that I am proud to oversee and build upon. I am excited to continue to work with Coach Koenning, Coach Bellford, the rest of our tremendous staff and volunteers. I wholeheartedly welcome Coach Birren as our new head cross country coach and look forward to building upon the success of the MU track and field and cross country legacy."
Ā
Birren, who began at MU as volunteer assistant distance coach in the summer of 2012, was named the interim head cross country coach in August after former head coach Mike Nelson left for Monmouth University. He also coaches the middle and long-distance runners on the track and field team.
Ā
He led the cross country programs to a banner season in 2019 as the Golden Eagles had four All-BIG EAST honorees for the first time in program history. The men's team tied its best-ever finish at the BIG EAST Championships, placing fourth with a program-best 99 points. The women's team finished sixth in the conference for the second straight year with 149 points.
Ā
"It's an honor to be entrusted to lead the cross country and distance programs into the future with Bert and the rest of the staff at MU," Birren said. "Whether we are going through good times or rough patches, it's been incredible to see our department come together with the ultimate goal of caring for the student-athletes. I'm so excited to see where the road ahead leads, and I'm blessed to be a part of it all."
Ā
The Golden Eagles continue their indoor track and field season on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the John Tierney Invitational, hosted by Milwaukee. The meet will begin at 10 a.m. at the Klotsche Center.
Ā
Keep up with the Marquette cross countryĀ program through social media by following on Twitter (@MUTFXC) and Instagram (@MUTFXC) and `liking' on Facebook (/MUTFXC).Ā
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