MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Athletics announced the return of a standout student-athlete and coach as Mike Stevenson was hired as the head coach for the men's and women's cross country/track and field programs. Director of Athletics Tommy Bell officially announced the hire on Monday (July 21).
 
"As we evaluated the candidate pool for our head cross country/track and field coach position, we received interest from a lot of qualified coaches. Mike Stevenson stood out on our list. Mike knows what it means to be a Leatherneck. He competed here as a student-athlete and had a successful coaching career at Western," said Bell. "We feel Mike will be a great role model for our current student-athletes and do a great job representing the University. We welcome Mike's return to Western Illinois University."
 
According to Stevenson, "I am excited to rejoin the Leatherneck family. It's a great opportunity for my family and I to come back to Western Illinois University, Leatherneck Athletics and the city of Macomb. I want to thank (Athletic Director) Tommy Bell, (Deputy Director of Athletics) Matt Tanney, and the search committee for this opportunity."
 
Stevenson rejoins Western after spending the last two years as the Director of Cross Country/Track and Field at the California Institute of Technology. During his tenure, the program set 10 new school records. The women's team had their highest conference championship placing ever in back-to-back seasons. Several male and female student-athletes ranked among the 'Top 50' nationally. Academically, the men's track and cross country teams each ranked No. 1 nationally in grade point average in 2013.
 
He spent from 2010-12 at Purdue University as the assistant track and field coach. Stevenson was responsible for sprinters and hurdlers. While with the Boilermakers he helped bring home the program's first Big Ten sprint champion in seven years. The Purdue sprint and hurdle athletes set five school records and produced multiple NCAA Championship qualifiers. During the 2011 season, Stevenson served as the interim throws coach and led that group to nine first-round berths, three national qualifying berths and one All-American honor.
 
For 19 years, Stevenson coached the Leatherneck track and field program – including the final eight as the head coach overseeing both the men's and women's team. In those eight years, Stevenson was a five-time 'Coach of the Year' and won five championships (three with him as head coach).
 
"Coach (Mike) Stevenson distinguished himself from a talented pool of applicants during the interview process," said Deputy Director of Athletics Matt Tanney. "We are confident Mike can build a championship culture in our cross country/track & field programs. We are excited to welcome him and his family back to Macomb."
 
He guided 104 student-athletes to individual conference championships and coached 23 NCAA Division I national qualifiers. Eight WIU athletes earned conference 'Player of the Year' honors under Stevenson as well as six athletes named conference 'Newcomer of the Year'. Before being named head coach in 2000, he served as the assistant track and field coach from 1991-99.
 
"Western Illinois University has a great tradition in track and field, and I am proud to say that I was a part of that and will be again," said Stevenson. "I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead. There are a lot of great pieces to the puzzle already in place, now we'll start putting everything together and build for the future."


In 2001, Stevenson was selected to teach at both the NCAA's YES (Youth Education Seminar) and the World Scholar-Athlete Games. A published author, Stevenson has had his work appear in Scholastic Coach and Administrator magazine. Stevenson is a USATF Level II certified coach.


A former Leatherneck standout in the classroom and on the track, Stevenson was a multiple all-conference academic and athletic selection. The two-time team captain still ranks among Western's all-time top sprinters. Stevenson earned his B.A. in physical education in 1987 and his M.S. in physical education in 1991.
 
 
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