FREDONIA, N.Y. – Assistant coach Tom Wilson has been promoted to interim head coach of Fredonia State track and field and cross country, effectively immediately, the university announced today.

A Fredonia State alumnus, Wilson has been the coach of the Blue Devil pole vaulters since the winter of 2002, first as a volunteer assistant, and eventually as a paid assistant. He has coached the current Fredonia State women's record holder, Erin Ross, and three men on the current team – Broncho Rollins, Cody Dahleiden, and Greg Craft -- who have vaulted onto the program's Top 10 list.

During his coaching tenure, Wilson has built up the pole-vaulting portion of the team from one women's vaulter his first season to a current stable of 10 men and women.

“I am pleased to announce the hiring of Tom Wilson as Interim Head Coach of Track and Cross Country,” Fredonia State Director of Athletics Greg Prechtl said. “Tom's background as a collegiate decathlete and his familiarity with our program, both an athlete and an assistant coach, uniquely prepare him for the challenges he and his staff will face in moving our program forward. An NJCAA All-American at Alfred State and an All-SUNYAC performer at Fredonia, Tom understands what it takes to compete and succeed. Tom is extremely knowledgeable, hardworking, and committed to the goals of the University. He will bring out the best in those he recruits to Fredonia.”

A 1998 graduate of Niagara-Wheatfield High School, Wilson attended Alfred State College and competed in cross country and track & field. He served as captain on both teams and was a major contributor to both. An all-around athlete, he was an integral member of Alfred State's 2000 track and field team that won both the National Junior College Athletic Association Region III championship and the NJCAA national championship. He twice won the NJCAA Region III pole vault title in addition to one Region III decathlon title. In 2000, Wilson won the NJCAA pole vault championship and earned All-American honors in the 800 meters, the 4-by-800 meter relay, and the decathlon.

He transferred to Fredonia State and was a member of the track and field team for two seasons. After missing much of his junior season with an injury, he returned as a senior to win the SUNYAC indoor and outdoor pole vault titles and finished second at the New York State Collegiate Track & Field Association indoor and outdoor meets. He finished 25^th nationally in the event and is the holder of the second-best vault in program history. He also finished sixth in the SUNYAC 800 meters both indoors and outdoors.

Wilson has also won pole-vaulting awards while competing in the Empire State Games.

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