Brock Alumni Allan named new cross country head coach

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Brock University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce Emily Allan as the new head coach of the Brock men's and women's cross country program. She replaces Curtis Gadula who was the head coach for the past five seasons.

"Brock is pleased to have one of our past alumni as our new cross country head coach," said Assistant Athletic Director Chris Critelli. "Emily was an outstanding runner as a Badger and she still is competing as a triathlete. We are very excited to have her on board. Not only does she have the expertise and knowledge of the sport, but she is on campus as it is very important for our student athletes to have access to their coach."

Allan, a 2005 Brock University graduate with a Bachelor of Physical Education, ran for the Badgers in 2001-02, and 2004-05. In 2004-05 she was named Brock Runner of the Year. 

In 2005 and 2006 she was the Brock cross country assistant coach. She also received the Director's Award in 2005-06 for her contribution to athletics. 

In 2004, Allan began training as a triathlete where she has been very successful. At the 2005 Triathlon World Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii she placed 13th overall in the 20-24 age category. At the 2006 Triathlon World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland she was 16th in the 25-29 age category. This past year at the 2010 National Triathlon Championships in Kelowna, BC she had her top finish placing 3rd overall.

"I am very excited to be back in a coaching capacity, and am very grateful for this opportunity," said Brock cross country head coach Emily Allan. "I love being an athlete, and enjoy coaching even more!  I am really looking forward to sharing this passion with the incoming athletes. Varsity athletics can play a tremendous role in a student's life, aiding them in their future paths in ways they never thought possible, and I am excited to be a part of this."

Allan is currently a Project Coordinator in Community Health Sciences at Brock University. She is in charge of running a five year research study investigating the social determinants of child hypertension, funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Brock Athletics would like to thank Curtis Gadula for all he has done for the program. As the former coach he brought the OUA championship to Brock and worked very hard to provide an excellent opportunity to our student athletes.