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Isaac Bryan takes over lead of EMU running, track programs

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isaac bryan emuIsaac Bryan will take over as the new EMU Director of Cross Country and Track & Field and Head Cross Country Coach. He spent the last year as EMU’s distance coach.

“I am very excited about moving into the director role for both programs,” Bryan said. “I believe the new coaching structure will help provide continuity between the cross country and track programs. I hope to bring and implement a new vision for the programs – focusing on commitment and unity.”

EMU Director of Athletics Dave King said the time was right was for Bryan to step into the lead of the programs.

“Isaac’s experiences beyond coaching make him an ideal candidate for this new position,” King explained. “Working in residence life, teaching in the classroom and having a master’s degree in higher education has helped him develop the leadership gifts needed to oversee the entire running program at EMU.”

The Royals had six national qualifiers last year, with Bryan working closely with all but one of them. The cross country team sent three athletes to the NCAA National Championships for the second straight time, and senior Hannah Chappell-Dick(Bluffton, Ohio/Bluffton) earned three All-America honors between cross country and track & field.

King said that Bryan quickly established himself last year as he led the Royals distance runners.

“He is very supportive of our vision to grow the cross country and track & field programs in both quantity and quality, establishing depth in the events, competing for ODAC championships and coaching national qualifiers,” commented King. “His organizational, communication and relational skills made Isaac an ideal candidate for this position and I’m excited to see what individuals and teams can achieve under his leadership.”

This is the first head coaching position for Bryan after he also spent three years as an assistant at his alma mater, Taylor University.

Bryan said he enjoyed working with Britten Olinger, who led the Royals last year.

“I am grateful for my first year at EMU and Britten’s friendship and support throughout it,” said Bryan. “He was well-loved and respected by the team and me and will be greatly missed.”

Bryan said that despite the recent changes in leadership, a strong base of student athletes helps with the continuity.

“The team has seen a lot of transition,” he said. “I’m looking forward to leading the team through this next one, and we have a number of upperclassmen who will help as well. I am confident that the traditions, values, and winning culture of the team will continue to progress.”

King expects that Bryan would maintain to momentum built by his predecessors while his vision would serve the needs of the program’s student athletes.

“Isaac has already demonstrated his leadership abilities by helping us create a coaching structure that best helps us reach our goals,” said King. “Two head coaching positions with one serving as overall program director gives us the best opportunity to provide the best student athlete experience for our runners, jumpers and throwers.”

With Bryan becoming the overall director and also head coach for cross country, Eastern Mennonite will look to add a head coach for track & field. While the structure of the coaching staff will change, the program will continue to have two full-time coaches. Bryan is confident that the new head track & field coach will share a similar vision for the program and will possess the qualities needed to implement it.

“What I love about my role as coach is I get to use running as a platform to mentor and teach students – supporting and challenging them in their development as holistic individuals,” he explained. “My work is more than just helping athletes perform to the best of their capacity, it’s also about empowering and encouraging them to flourish in every area of their lives.”

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