Rochelle Black Named Head Track and Field Coach
Mars Hill University announces Rochelle Black as the school's new track and field coach
MARS HILL, N.C. - Mars Hill University announces Rochelle Black as the school's new track and field coach. Black comes to the Lions from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, where he has been director of track and field and cross country for the past ten years, and assistant athletic director for game operations and fan experience since 2021.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Rick Baker for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program," said Black. "I look forward to contributing to the continued development of our track and field program while investing in the growth of our student-athletes academically, athletically, and personally."
Prior to joining LMU Black coached at Murray State University and Shorter University. He received his bachelor's degree in exercise, sport and health education from Radford University, his master's in organizational leadership from Shorter, and is working toward a Doctor of Education in global sports leadership at East Tennessee State University.
Black has made an impact at his former institutions and at the conference and national levels. He served on the NCAA Divisions II and III Track and Field and Cross-Country Rules Sub-Committee, was the South Atlantic Conference representative to the NCAA Division II Coaches Connection, served on several committees for the SAC and for LMU. At Lincoln Memorial he more than doubled his program's roster to 58 student-athletes while improving GPAs to more than 3.5 for both the men's and women's teams. As assistant athletic director he coordinated game-day operations for more than 100 home athletic events each year and contributed to long-range strategic planning, processes, and operations of the athletics department.
MHU Director of Athletics Rick Baker said, "Coach Black brings a great deal of experience and success with him to lead our track and field programs. We are extremely excited to have Coach Black join the Mars Hill family. He is the right coach to build on the success we have had and take us to even higher levels."
