Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. ---- Life University Director of Athletics Jayme Pendergast announced Wednesday afternoon that the leader of the men's cross country and men's track & field program would be Dominic Demeritte.

"The candidate pool for this position was incredibly talented," Pendergast mentioned. "Dominic presented the greatest breadth of planning for the men's XC/Track program at Life University and his work with our women's program has proven his ability to execute the plan. He has a great track resume and has all the right skills and contacts to bring this program back to national prominence. Additionally, he was really able to articulate a plan that supported a mutually beneficial collaboration with Coach Stuart and the women's program. With enhanced facilities and our coaching staffs, I'm excited to see men's and women's track programs excel nationally."

Demeritte will oversee a program that has quite the storied past and look to turn the Running Eagles into a powerhouse program once more. As an athlete, he competed in two Olympic Games (2000 and 2004) and a combined seven outdoor and indoor World Championships. He was the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Champion in the 200 meters. From a coaches perspective, he has led individuals to an Olympic silver medal in the 4x100 at the 2016 Olympics and a bronze medal in the 2017 World Championships.

"I am truly honored and humbled to be named the men's track & field/cross country head coach at Life University," Demeritte Stated. "I would like to thank Jayme Pendergast and the hiring committee for having  the confidence in me to build and lead one of the most storied programs in NAIA history. I am super excited to hit the ground running and am looking forward to recruiting and mentoring the next Champions of character, the Mid South Conference and the NAIA."

Recruiting for the program will begin immediately, as the Running Eagles are slated to begin their first season of competition in the 2021/2022 year. Any interest can be emailed to dominic.demeritte@life.edu

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