WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State men's and women's cross country coach Marc Burns has been named head coach of the Bradley University men's and women's cross country and women's track and field teams, Director of Athletics Eric Sexton announced today.  

“We wish Coach Burns the best and thank him for his service to Wichita State,” Sexton said. “He is a quality coach and brought championships to WSU. His abilities as a coach are also reflected in the caliber of student-athletes that have been through the program, and that are still representing WSU.”

 

Burns, who completed four years at WSU as men's and women's cross country head coach, also served as assistant coach for the Shockers men's and women's track and field teams.

“It has been an honor to lead the cross country teams at Wichita State University over the last four years,” Burns said.  “This is a very special place and I want to thank Coach Rainbolt for his great leadership and vision for the entire program.  I am most grateful for the friendship that I have developed with Coach Rainbolt and the other members of the staff.  He is an amazing coach and person and Wichita State is very lucky to have him as the Director of the program.  He has assembled an amazing staff and I will miss each of them and wish them continued success.  I will take all that I have learned here at WSU with me to Bradley.  I would also like to thank the administration for all of their support.  Eric (Sexton) and Becky (Endicott) are doing an amazing job providing the support and resources necessary for the level of success we have enjoyed.

“I want to thank all of the Shockers that have worn the black and gold in my time here.  They have made this experience very special and I will cherish my time here greatly.

“Looking ahead, my family and I are very excited about the opportunity that Bradley has offered us. The location is appealing to us too.  The move gets us closer to our roots and with three young boys we are very excited about that.”

 

Prior to Wichita State, Burns was head cross country and track and field coach at his alma mater, Loyola University in Chicago.  

  

The reigning Missouri Valley Conference Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year, Burns earned the honor in each of his four seasons with the Shockers and led the Wichita State women's cross country team to four consecutive Valley team titles.  In addition to the team honors, Burns coached three All-America runners, 22 MVC individual cross country and track champions and 11 Valley Cross Country Scholar-Athletes.  He also was named the 2009 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Women's Assistant Track and Field Coach of the Year.

 

A 1991 graduate of Loyola with a degree in business administration, he was a two-time All-American on the track for the Ramblers and clocked the third-fastest collegiate time in the nation in the indoor 3,000 meters in 1990.  Burns was a three-time All-Midwestern College Conference cross country performer and two-time 5,000 meter indoor conference champion.  

Burns is married to the former Alana Crisman, who is originally from Rushville, Ill.  They have three sons: Connor, Brian and Sean.

Wichita State will begin the process immediately to start a national search.