Reading, Pa. (Sept. 27, 2024) - Alvernia University Associate Vice President for Athletics Bill Stiles announced on Friday the hiring of Eric Bennett as the next Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach of Alvernia University.
Bennett returns to Alvernia having previously held the head coaching position at the University from 2013-2018. He departed in the summer of 2018 to pursue an opportunity with his family to serve as houseparents at the Milton Hershey School. However, he remained heavily involved in the track and field world. From 2018 through 2024, Bennett served in assistant coaching roles at Elizabethtown College and Albright College.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Alvernia and to be an integral part of the continued success of the track and field and cross country programs," said Bennett. "The relationships built previously are why returning to Alvernia was a consideration."
During his time at Alvernia, Bennett coached 67 male All-MAC performances and 117 female All-MAC performances in track and field. He also coached three student-athletes to NCAA appearances.
Bennett was also instrumental in the initial development states of the Tom and Helen Flynn PLEX, and has coached in the facility with both Elizabethtown and Albright.
"I was drawn back to Alvernia through the encouragement of alumni," added Bennett. "The relationships built previously, combined with seeing the positive impact track and field had on the lives of so many alumni encouraged me to explore this opportunity."
"We are very happy to welcome Eric back to Alverni," said Stiles. "During his first tenure as our head coach, he did a really nice job building our programs without many of the amazing facilities, amenities and academic programs that we now enjoy. I'm confident that those things, combined with his successful coaching experience, will take our programs to the next level in the MAC and beyond"
Prior to his first stint with Alvernia, Bennett was an assistant coach at the University of Rochester from 2009 to 2013. He coached 31 first team performances for the women, and ten first team performances for the men. He also coached five NCAA qualifiers, two ECAC medalists, and six conference champions.
"Alvernia University is a special place where faculty, staff, and students can thrive in a supportive environment," said Bennett. "We have all the tools and resources necessary to excel academically, athletically, and personally. There is a strong history of performance within this team, and I am looking forward to continuing that tradition. I view this second run with Alvernia as a path to developing a program that is known for success and excellence in every facet of the team."
Bennett will begin immediately with Alvernia and join the program in the midst of its cross country season. The Indoor Track and Field season gets underway in December.
