UTEP names alum and former national champ Mircea Bogdan to head cross country program
UTEP turned to one of its all-time greats to take over the cross country program, as 2005 NCAA steeplechase champion Mircea Bogdan was named associate head cross country coach.
The 30-year old native of Romania takes over from Paul Ereng, who left for Texas A&M earlier this month after 20 years heading UTEP's cross country team.
Bogdan spent last year as the head track coach at Chicago State after seven years as an assistant at Loyola-Chicago.
"Twenty years ago, yesterday (Aug. 28, 2003), is when I first stepped foot on UTEP's campus as a student athlete," Bogdan said. "Back then it was a dream come true. Coming to UTEP in the fall of 2003 was the best decision I could have taken, one that changed my life and my career forever. I could not have asked for a better opportunity. I am forever thankful to UTEP.”
Bogdan will jump right in, as the Miners open their season Saturday in Las Cruces at the Lori Fitzgerald Memorial.
Coach Mika Laaksonen announced Bogdan's hire one day after naming one of his former UTEP teammates, Milton Mallard, as an assistant coach. Mallard was a sprinter for the Miners in 1992-94.
"Coach Bogdan is a hard-working, skilled coach that has his student-athletes’ best interest in mind,” Laaksonen said. “He is an excellent recruiter and has already made contributions in this area to make us better. We are excited to be able to add him into our team and can’t wait to get rolling with this new staff."
Bogdan competed at UTEP from 2003 to 2006, highlighted with the 2005 NCAA Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with time of 8 minutes, 27.29 seconds. He was the runner up the following season.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP alum Mircea Bodgan tabbed to head cross country program
