Lakeland College

Small tabbed to head Lakeland track, cross country programs

Athletics - posted on 11/15/2012

Lakeland College has hired Marc Small as the school's new head coach of its men's and women's track & field teams and men's and women's cross country teams.

Small comes to Lakeland after having served as assistant men's and women's track & field coach for four years at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio. He specialized in sprints and jumping events at the NCAA Division II school. This will be his first head coaching position.

"I am very excited about being part of the Lakeland family," Small said. "This is a great opportunity, and I couldn't have asked for a better place to start as a head coach. I am thankful to (Vice President of Athletics and Wellness) Kellen Winslow, Sr. and all the Lakeland staff who have taken me in with the warmest of welcomes. I look forward to holding up and taking part in all Lakeland's traditions, reaching out to alumni, and building onto the Lakeland athletic program."

Small has seven years of experience coaching, all at the NCAA Division II level. He began his coaching career at Lake Superior State, spending three years as a track & field assistant and also strength and conditioning coordinator. He coached athletes who broke 21 school records, including training a 2007 NCAA Division II All-American in the 400 meters. From Lake Superior State to went to Tiffin, his alma mater, where he has helped coach more than 40 national qualifying marks, more than 20 all-conference athletes, as well as nine All-Americans.

Small competed collegiately at Tiffin and was a team captain while helping the Dragons to three consecutive American Mideast Conference championships. Upon his graduation in 2006, he was a part of six school records, and he still ranks in the top five on the Tiffin performance lists in several events.

Small graduated from Tiffin with a degree in sports management. He received his master's degree in curriculum & instruction from Lake Superior State in 2008.

At Lakeland, he will be in charge of raising the profile of the Muskie men's and women's track & field programs and said his goal it to triple the squad size of both teams. He also will look to re-energize a cross country program that has offered to individual runners but has not fielded a team since 2006-07.

"I am motivated to work hard in order to foster achievement, excellence, and integrity, all qualities that will make our teams victorious both on the field and in the classroom," Small said. "My goal will be to establish the culture of Lakeland track and cross country starting with a strong base focused on recruiting and expanding our reach. I take this appointment seriously and can't wait to start."

In addition to coaching, Small also taught weight training classes at Lake Superior State, and he also was an adjunct professor at Tiffin, teaching in the business and recreational studies departments. He will begin at Lakeland on Nov. 19. ...