CHICAGO, Ill. – After four years as the Head Coach of the North Park Track & Field team and as many years as an assistant with NPU Cross Country, Bisrat Kidane has been promoted to Director of Track & Field and Cross Country.

"I am pleased to promote Bisrat Kidane to the position of Director of Track & Field and Cross Country," said John Born, Director of Athletics. "Under Bisrat's leadership, the teams have improved in nearly every manner. He is a great example and mentor to our student-athletes and I know he will flourish in this new role."

This past 2022-23 season Kidane guided Clark Fremouw (Discus) and Jereme Ombogo (200m) to United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Midwest honors. Additionally, Kidane coached Ombogo all the way to the 2023 NCAA Championships, earning the CCIW Indoor and Outdoor 200-meter titles while establishing multiple program records along the way.

"I'd like to thank Assistant Vice President for Athletics, John Born, for this amazing opportunity," said Coach Kidane. "Being a coach at the college level is a huge privilege and I am excited to be able to continue being a college coach at North Park University. I would also like to thank President Mary Surridge and Vice President Anthony Scola for this wonderful opportunity. Their desire for the continued success and growth of the North Park Track & Cross Country program has been clear. I am also grateful for Alex Rosenau and our staff. They have done an outstanding job of building and laying the foundation. I am excited to keep building what we have started and will strive to keep the momentum going that allows student-athletes to bring their best and authentic self each day, while promoting an environment of inclusivity."