CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State Athletic Department has announced that Jason Hudson has been named the next head coach of the Cleveland State cross country team. Hudson will begin his duties with the Vikings next month.

"I would like to thank the search committee and Director of Athletics Mike Thomas for giving me this opportunity to lead a cross country team that definitely has a bright future ahead," Hudson said. "I'm very excited to be a part of Cleveland State University and the athletic department, and I can't wait to continue the success that the cross country team has had in recent years and take the program to the next level." 

Hudson comes to Cleveland State with over 20 years of coaching experience, most recently serving as the head track and field coach at Oberlin High School.

Prior to his time at Oberlin High School, Hudson spent 12 seasons on the coaching staff at Oberlin College, working in a multitude of roles with both the cross country and track and field teams. During his time at Oberlin College, Hudson mentored hundreds of All-Conference performers and over 40 conference champions, while also having a handful of student-athletes qualify for nationals and earn All-America honors.

In addition, Hudson helped Oberlin capture seven North Coast Athletic Conference titles in women's cross country, while making six appearances in the NCAA Championship.

"We are very excited to welcome Jason to the Viking family, and we are excited to see what the next chapter of Cleveland State cross country will hold," Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "Jason brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program, which will be a tremendous asset to the team, not only on the course, but also in the classroom and in the community. This is definitely a program that has been on the rise over the last few years, and hopefully that trend will continue under Jason's direction."

Hudson got his start in coaching at the College of Wooster where he was the assistant track and field and cross country coach, before serving a stint at Case Western Reserve as the head women's cross country coach and assistant track and field coach.

Hudson has also been involved with other aspects of university life, serving as the Director of Wellness and Director of Student-Athlete Services – both of which came at Oberlin College.

A native of Texas, Hudson was a four-year letterwinner at the College of Wooster in cross country and track and field, earning All-Conference honors on three occasions. During his time with the Fighting Scots, Hudson was part of a conference champion 4x400 relay team, set a school record in the 3200 relay, and was part of a conference champion cross country team.

Hudson graduated from Wooster with a bachelor of arts in psychology and later earned a master of education in community counseling from Kent State University.