NORTHAMPTON - Jack Wood has been named the new Smith College Director of Track & Field /Cross Country, Director of Athletics & Recreation Kristin Hughes announced Friday. Wood returns to the Pioneer Valley after two years as an assistant coach at Connecticut College and was on the Smith cross country staff that was named the 2022 NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
His hiring makes Wood just the second program director for Smith after the departure of Courtney Jaworski to Yale. Wood joins Smith from Connecticut College, where he served as assistant coach of track & field and cross country.
"It is truly a full circle moment for Jack Wood to be named our Director of Cross Country, Track and Field," said Hughes. "After a very strong graduate student experience here at Smith, I am confident in Jack's ability to lead this program. His knowledge of the sport, his ability to build relationships with student-athletes combined with a strong work ethic are all qualities which will serve him well in his first head coach role. We are excited to welcome Jack back to Smith College!"
While at Connecticut College, Wood coached 12 national qualifiers, 20 all-conference selections, three New England Champions, 11 school records and helped lead the Camels to their highest men's and women's finish at the New England Division III Championships. As a graduate assistant coach at Smith, Wood coached 16 national qualifiers, eight all-conference honorees, and 17 All-New England athletes.
As Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, Wood will oversee all aspects of both the cross country and track programs, including recruiting, training, and coaching of student-athletes while also administering cross country and track assistant coaches and staff.
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