NORTON, MA- Wheaton College Executive Director of Athletics Chad Yowell has announced the reorganization of the department's men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field staff, with Paul Souza and Marc Mangiacotti being named co-head coaches, effective immediately. Souza is set to begin his 15th season as a head coach with the Lyons, while Mangiacotti, who previously served in an assistant capacity, enters his fifth with the program.

Souza, whose expertise is with jumps, will oversee all field events, while Mangiacotti, who specializes in sprints and hurdles, will be responsible for all running events.

"I am excited that we have found a creative way to keep an excellent coach in Marc while taking some pressure off of Paul," said Yowell. "We now have two outstanding coaches running our track & field programs, and I believe this move will provide a greater experience to our student-athletes."

Souza has built the programs into national powers during his tenure, especially on the women's side, where the Lyons captured eight indoor and outdoor national championships from 1999-2003. Wheaton became the first Division III women's program to sweep the indoor and outdoor national titles three straight years. The women have also won nine of the 10 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championships. For the men, Souza has guided the indoor team to three top-six national finishes and the outdoor squad to a trio of top-eight placements.

"In an effort to keep Marc here at Wheaton, his recent appointment as co-head coach is both welcome and deserved," said Souza. "He has been an integral part of the success of our program over the past four years, and I look forward to continuing our coaching partnership for the next several years."

In addition to drawing praise from Souza, Mangiacotti has earned recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). In spring 2008, he was named Division III national and regional women's assistant coach of the year. During his time, the women's squad has placed in the top 14 twice at the indoor championship while securing three NEWMAC titles. The men have finished at least tied for 22nd on two occasions at the indoor meet.

"I am honored to be named co-head coach and look forward to working alongside Paul and helping build upon the success he has created at Wheaton," said Mangiacotti. "I am also excited about the opportunity to continue working with the student-athletes, who take such pride in both academics and athletics. With the support of the administration and athletics staff, I've truly enjoyed the past four years and am prepared to take full advantage of the opportunity that's been presented."

Wheaton is a selective national liberal arts college with 1,550 students drawn from virtually every state and more than 69 countries. The college combines a traditional curriculum in the arts and sciences with an innovative emphasis on real-world experience – internships, jobs and volunteer service – to help students make the connection between theory and practice. Its students gain admission to the nation's most prestigious graduate programs and regularly win competitive academic awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships.