David Chandler Head Cross Country

chandled@mcmurryadm.mcm.edu  
325-793-4939
McMurry University 

David Chandler was tabbed March 18 as Bill Libby's successor to lead the McMurry University men's and women's cross country teams and the distance runners in track.  Libby, who founded both programs as varsity sports in 1996, resigned from coaching in order to become the athletic department's coordinator of leadership and life skills development. He will remain a McMurry faculty member as Assistant Professor of Religion. Chandler , meanwhile, retained his duties teaching in the physical education department at the University.

"Bill's vision and generosity made cross country possible on our campus. After eight years of service and countless contributions to the programs, Bill is now moving into another position" where he can further serve our student-athletes, McM athletics director Steve Keenum said. "We express our appreciation for what Bill has accomplished and wish David every success as well."

While accepting his first head coaching job at the collegiate level, Chandler is no stranger to McMurry cross country. He was a member of the Indians' original squad seven years ago and went on to become a four-year letterman in cross country and an 800-meter champion at the 1997 American Southwest Conference track meet. He twice won the ASC Cross Country Championships in 1998 and 2000 (helping the Indians take the team title during his senior year), was named all-region his senior season and was selected all-conference four times and academic all-conference three years. He obtained two more all-ASC citations in track, too.

In addition, Chandler is entering his third season on both the cross country and track coaching staffs in 2003, with the last two years coming as an assistant coach. He instructs distance runners on the track squads for head coach Barbara Crousen. An experienced clinician, Chandler holds membership in the USA Cross Country Coaches and USA Track Coaches associations and is USA Track and Field Level 1 certified.

Chandler was graduated from McMurry in December 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in multidisciplinary studies, including teaching emphasis in secondary history and physical education. Last summer, he received his master's degree in sports recreation management from Hardin-Simmons University . He was named on the Dean's List at both institutions, served as Servant Leadership Preceptor and was a member of the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta.

"It's an honor to be the head coach at my alma mater and I take great pride in that. This experience will be an all-out effort to do things right," Chandler said. "I'm replacing my mentor of several years in Bill Libby, who set high standards for the program. I look forward to maintaining those goals at McMurry.

"As always, we are constantly looking to recruit quality student-athletes to assemble a team of excellence in cross country. (So) this summer's training by both our returnees and newcomers will be vital to our success in the fall. Our No. 1 priority will be the health of the runners, so our student-athletes will be completely healthy - physically and mentally - before they set foot on the race course," he added.

At Martin High School in Arlington , Chandler lettered in cross country and track. He was a cross country district champion and state qualifier and ran the 800 meters, 1600 and 3200 in track.

A native Texan, Chandler , 25, married the former Janet Bohling in May 2002 and the couple resides in Abilene . In his spare time, Chandler enjoys reading, camping, rollerblading, cycling and running. Still a competitive runner, he finished the 2002 Motorola Marathon in Austin with a time of 2 hours, 55 minutes, qualifying him for the Boston Marathon that same year.