Loyola Names Randy Hasenbank Cross Country/Track & Field Coach

CHICAGO --Known as a developer of talent, Randy Hasenbank has been named head cross country/track and field coach at Loyola University Chicago, it was announced Tuesday. A 13-year veteran of the collegiate coaching ranks, Hasenbank comes to Loyola after spending the last five seasons as the head women’s cross country and assistant track and field coach at the University of Alabama.

“Randy is a proven developer of talent and builder of championship caliber programs,” Loyola Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. M. Grace Calhoun said. “He has produced several league champion runners and came to us highly recommended. Randy has a vision for Loyola’s cross country and track and field programs and we are confident that he is the right coach to help us restore our proud tradition. We are thrilled to welcome Randy and his wife, Lennis, to Loyola.”

In five years at Alabama, Hasenbank oversaw one of the most successful eras in Crimson Tide history, turning the program into one of the top outfits in the Southeastern Conference and the South Region. During his tenure in Tuscaloosa, Hasenbank produced three All-SEC runners, three freshman All-SEC selections and five all-region performances.

Before heading up Alabama’s women’s cross country program, Hasenbank was one of the most successful coaches in the Midwest, building a perennial conference title contender at Wichita State. As the head cross country coach at Wichita State, Hasenbank coaches 64 runners to All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and was named 2006 NCAA Division I Midwest Distance Coach of the Year. He also collected 2005 MVC Cross Country Coach of the Year honors and led the Shocker women to the 2005 MVC cross country title.

From 2002-06, the Shockers earned 13 NCAA Division I qualifying marks and 11 top-10 performances in school history. During the 2005-06 seasons, Hasenbank mentored the NCAA Midwest Region Female Athlete of the Year, the MVC Athlete of the Year and the MVC Indoor Athlete of the Year.

“I am honored that Dr. Calhoun and Loyola University chose me to lead the cross country and track and field programs,” Hasenbank said. “I am excited to be a part of such a prestigious institution. It is clear to me that Loyola is committed to excellence both in athletics and academics and the facility additions and enhancements are very impressive. I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes and adding to Loyola’s great tradition.”

Prior to joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Hasenbank was an accomplished coach at the high school level, serving as the head coach at Andover High School in Kansas. At Andover, he coached the girls cross country team for four consecutive state finals, winning the title in 2001. His success wasn’t just limited to the women’s team however, as the boys’ squad made back-to-back state tournament appearances for the first time since 1981-82.

Hasenbank was a steeplechaser at Wichita State, earning All-MVC accolades, while also helping the Shockers to the 1987 MVC crown and a national ranking in 1987. He earned junior college All-American honors as a member of the Cloud County cross country/track and field team. A 1990 graduate of Wichita State, Hasenbank also earned his master’s degree from WSU in 1995.