Colorado State University Athletics
John Elders to Join Distance Coaching Staff
7/11/2023 12:27:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Elders will be an assistant with the Cross Country and Track & Field programs
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Head Coaches Kelly Hart and Brian Bedard announced Tuesday the addition of John Elders to the Colorado State cross country and track and field coaching staff. Elders joins the Rams after spending 33 years as the Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach at Cal State Fullerton.
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"We are thrilled to have John join our staff here at Colorado State," said Hart. "He brings a wealth of experience with him from his tenure at Cal State Fullerton, and will be a huge help to our cross country and track team. He is going to be a great resource for our student-athletes and complement our staff well."
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Elders retired from coaching in 2021 and moved to Fort Collins after more than three decades at Cal State Fullerton. When he retired, Elders was the longest tenured head coach in the history of CSF Athletics at 33 years, 3 months. He was the only coach in the history of CSF to be granted Emeritus status.
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"I'm super excited to become a part of the Colorado State cross country and /track & field program," said Elders. "It's such a privilege to have the opportunity to work with such an outstanding team and coaching staff. One thing that was clear to me throughout the hiring process was how the coaches are here to serve the student-athletes and help them be successful on and off the track. I'm really looking forward to my role as a support person for Coach Hart and the cross country/distance program, and I want to thank Coach Bedard for giving me this amazing opportunity. Let's Go Rams!"
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He finished his career at Cal State Fullerton winning five Big West Conference team titles since 2017, three men's track titles, one women's track title and one cross country title. During his tenure, he was named the Big West Coach of the Year on five separate occasions.
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During his head coaching career, 24 student-athletes have earned All-American honors with 74 individual Big West Track and Field titles being claimed.
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John and his wife Nicole have two daughters Carlee, who is 21 and Gracie, who is 18.
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"We are thrilled to have John join our staff here at Colorado State," said Hart. "He brings a wealth of experience with him from his tenure at Cal State Fullerton, and will be a huge help to our cross country and track team. He is going to be a great resource for our student-athletes and complement our staff well."
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Elders retired from coaching in 2021 and moved to Fort Collins after more than three decades at Cal State Fullerton. When he retired, Elders was the longest tenured head coach in the history of CSF Athletics at 33 years, 3 months. He was the only coach in the history of CSF to be granted Emeritus status.
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"I'm super excited to become a part of the Colorado State cross country and /track & field program," said Elders. "It's such a privilege to have the opportunity to work with such an outstanding team and coaching staff. One thing that was clear to me throughout the hiring process was how the coaches are here to serve the student-athletes and help them be successful on and off the track. I'm really looking forward to my role as a support person for Coach Hart and the cross country/distance program, and I want to thank Coach Bedard for giving me this amazing opportunity. Let's Go Rams!"
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He finished his career at Cal State Fullerton winning five Big West Conference team titles since 2017, three men's track titles, one women's track title and one cross country title. During his tenure, he was named the Big West Coach of the Year on five separate occasions.
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During his head coaching career, 24 student-athletes have earned All-American honors with 74 individual Big West Track and Field titles being claimed.
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John and his wife Nicole have two daughters Carlee, who is 21 and Gracie, who is 18.
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