Bluefield, WV – Bluefield State University has named Wesley Arthur head Cross Country and Track and Field coach.
Before coming to Bluefield, Arthur as head cross country coach at Mary Baldwin University where he guided the women's team to an eighth out of 18-conference finish. He also led the men's program in its first season of varsity competition.
"We are thrilled to hire coach Wesley as Head Coach for Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track & Field" said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Derrick Price. "We wanted to find a coach who doesn't just shape winners but cultivates character, determination, and determination, and a passion for excellence."
Prior to Mary Baldwin, Arthur served as the assistant coach for the men's and women's track and field programs at fellow CIAA school, Virginia Union University. While there, he primarily worked with jumpers and coached three CIAA champions and one U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) all-region performer in the triple jump.
In total, Arthur led six athletes to all-conference status during the 2018-19 academic year. Both track & field teams earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recognition, while the men's program claimed the highest GPA in the CIAA.
While at VUU, Arthur designed and implemented training for men's jumps and women's hurdles while overseeing equipment and facility usage. He also facilitated recruiting efforts in the regions and assisted in the academic monitoring of all his student-athletes.
"I'm a CIAA alumni and it feels great to be back with a program that I believe can reach great things in the years to come" said Arthur.
Prior to collegiate coaching, Arthur coached at the high school level in Richmond since 2015. In total, he led seven VHSL AAAA state qualifiers in boys and girls high jump and long jump and coached the 2019 state runner-up in the boys 55m dash. Since 2015, Richmond City Public Schools claimed 14 regional championships under his tutelage.
Arthur also served as co-head coach of the boys and girls track & field programs at the Elite Speed Track Club in nearby Henrico, Virginia. While there, he led all administrative management duties, including athlete registration, clearance, and compliance. Arthur also oversaw the club budget and handled team fundraisers. In 2018, Arthur coached a USATF Junior Olympic national qualifier in the club's 4x100 relay team in the 13-14 age group.
Before beginning his tenure as a coach, Arthur spent four seasons on the Virginia Union cross country and track & field teams before graduating with a BA in history and political science in 2015. He is currently pursuing his master's degree at Bluefield State.
