| Title: | Head Coach |
| Phone: | (269) 337-7082 |
| Email: | kyle.morrison@kzoo.edu |
Kyle Morrison was introduced as Kalamazoo College's head cross country coach on June 14, 2019. He begins July 1.
Morrison comes to Kalamazoo from Pepperdine University where he was a volunteer assistant coach with the Waves' cross country and track programs this past year while also teaching in the University's sports medicine department.
"I'm thrilled to be able to lead the cross country teams at Kalamazoo College," Morrison said. "The unique learning environment at K draws students that are worldly, focused, and seeking to make an impact in everything they do. Kalamazoo College cross country has a great foundation of student-athletes hoping to leave a legacy and a strong body of alumni that I hope to make proud by building a competitive program in the MIAA."
Before Pepperdine, Morrison was the head varsity cross country and track & field coach for two years at Black River Public Schools in Holland, Mich. At Black River, he was named Regional Coach of the Year when his boys' team finished third in the 2017 MHSAA Division 3 State Meet. He was an assistant cross country coach at his alma mater, Hope College, from 2012-16, coaching numerous All-MIAA, All-Region, and All-American runners. Morrison was a part of two NCAA III Great Lakes Regional championship teams and two top-ten NCAA teams.
"We are excited to welcome Kyle to the K family," said Becky Hall, Kalamazoo College's Director of Athletics. "His familiarity with the MIAA, his recruiting experience, and his ability to develop and mentor the men and women he will recruit to K and coach is an advantage to our program. His passion for cross country is contagious, and he will be a huge asset to our department and the College."
Morrison earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology at Hope College in 2004. He competed in cross country and track & field all four years for the Flying Dutchmen, earning Division III All-Academic honors his senior year from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Kyle has qualified for and competed in multiple marathons, including Boston, New York, Chicago, and Grand Rapids. He competed in the 2014 USA Nationals Long Course Triathlon and qualified for the 2015 ITU Long Course Triathlon World Championships in Sweden.
Morrison earned a Ph.D. in kinesiology at Michigan State University. He has been a faculty member at Pepperdine and Hope and will serve as a faculty member in Kalamazoo College's biology department beginning this fall.