CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State Director of Athletics Scott Garrett announced a change in leadership for the Vikings' Track & Field and Cross Country programs for the upcoming 2021-22 season, as Jason Hudson has been promoted to Head Coach of Track & Field and Cross Country.
Hudson, who has served as the head Cross Country coach and assistant Track & Field coach for the Vikings the last three years, will now oversee all aspects of both the Cross Country and Track & Field programs following the departure of Track & Field head coach Amber Williams for an assistant coaching role at Columbia University.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Scott Garrett and Deputy Director of Athletics Kelsie Gory Harkey for this opportunity to create a transformational experience for our student-athletes," Hudson said. "I am very excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead a combined Cross Country and Track & Field program. I look forward to building off the success that the Track program has had since it's return in 2016, while combining that with the success of the Cross Country program - building one team that shares a vision of academic, athletic, and social excellence."
Throughout his first three seasons at the helm of the Cross Country team, Hudson has led the Vikings to a pair of top-three team finishes at the 2018 Jenna Strong Fall Classic and the 2019 Disney Cross Country Classic, while also helping the team to 12 top-15 individual finishes during this span. Five of these finishes were top-five finishes, including a first-place showing from Anna Brandt at the 2018 Jenna Strong Fall Classic.
Entering the 2021 Cross Country season, 10 of the current top-50 5K times and 11 of the current top-50 6K times have come during Hudson's tenure, while he also mentored the first three-time All-Horizon League honoree in program history in Brandt.
"Having had a chance to work with Coach Hudson over the last two years, I have been impressed by his positive outlook on the impact of our Cross Country and Track & Field programs to CSU, and his total commitment to providing a well-rounded student-athlete experience," Garrett shared. "We are looking forward to working with Coach Hudson on implementing this new leadership structure, while continuing to focus on building a championship-level culture."
On the track, Hudson helped Brandt become the program's first-ever #HLTF individual event winner, as she captured a first place finish in the 800 Meter Run at the Horizon League Outdoor Championships.
Academics have also been a priority during Hudson's time at Cleveland State, as the Cross Country and Track & Field teams have combined for 86 Dean's List honors over the last three years, while three Vikings have combined for nine Horizon League All-Academic Team nods.
Under Hudson's guidance, the Cross Country team also continued its strong history of CSU Valedictorians this past spring, as Brandt was named the 2021 Spring Valedictorian for the College of Education & Human Services while also earning the Horizon League's Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor.
Hudson and the Vikings will begin the 2021 Cross Country campaign on Wednesday, September 1, kicking off a seven-meet slate at the Wooster Invite.
