HAMILTON – Colgate University has named
Chelsea France head coach for men's and women's cross country and track & field.
France brings a plethora of Division I coaching experience and proven success in training student-athletes who compete on the national stage in competitions and in the classroom. During her coaching career, France has developed two NCAA Division I runner-up finishers, three NCAA Division I All-Americans, nine NCAA championship qualifiers, 11 USTFCCCA Academic All-Americans, and 10 All-Region honorees.
"The vision, values, and culture established at Colgate align with everything I want for our student-athletes," France said. "This is a beautiful institution that embodies both academic and athletic excellence."
France most recently served three years as an assistant coach for distance and cross country at the University of Maryland, where multiple student-athletes broke individual records and qualified for national competitions. In 2021, she recruited and signed the top-ranked mid-distance and distance class in the Terrapins' program history. First-year Katie Altieri broke individual records and qualified for the USATF championships.
In the classroom, Maryland's track and field student-athletes consistently ranked among the top of their peers. During France's tenure, men's track and women's cross country earned the institution's award for the highest team grade point average multiple times.
Vice President and Director of Athletics, Nicki Moore said, "I am very excited for the team to get to know Coach France and to benefit from her substantial experience, passion for coaching, and genuine care for her student-athletes. Over the course of her career, she has managed nearly all aspects of high-level cross country and track and field programs supporting excellent outcomes, including league championships and postseason success alongside consistent academic achievement."
Moore continued, "As Colgate seeks to provide new support to all varsity programs through the Third-Century Plan for Athletics, I believe Chelsea will be an enthusiastic and engaged advocate, providing new opportunities for program alumni to reconnect and get involved."
"Chelsea's student-first mentality immediately resonated with the committee," said Deputy Athletics Director Yariv Amir. "Her plan for a communicative and trusting environment between student-athletes and coaches will allow our track & field and cross country student-athletes to continue achieving in every field and every arena. The program has made great strides over the past several years and we're excited to continue that trajectory under Chelsea's leadership."
During the 2019 outdoor season, France helped a program-best 18 student-athletes punch their ticket to the NCAAs. Both the men's and women's outdoor track and field teams broke several records throughout the season. During her first cross-country season, France improved the team's conference standings while coaching several student-athletes to All-Region and All-Academic honors. Maryland's cross country and track and field teams garnered USTFCCCA All-Academic Team laurels in each of her four seasons with the program.
Before her coaching role at Maryland, France helped lead the University of Pennsylvania cross country and track and field teams to some of their best years in program history as an assistant coach from 2017-19. While at Penn, she helped guide the program to four Ivy League team championships and 14 individual event championships.
Additionally, France aided in the development of 32 All-League honorees. She coached Nia Akins, one of the most decorated athletes in Penn program history, who earned All-American honors as a two-time runner-up finisher in the 800m.
Before her role at Penn, France coached at George Washington University (2014-17), where she mentored and developed distance student-athletes under a newly established track program. George Washington's program had its first men's and women's NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Regional ranking in 2016. France oversaw 13 All-Atlantic 10 Conference honorees during her tenure between cross country, indoor, and outdoor track.
France received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from the University of Virginia in 2012, where she was a member of the track and field and cross country team. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina in 2014.
France will be formally introduced at a press conference inside Sanford Field House at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. The press conference will stream live on ESPN+.
What They Are Saying
Eric Reinke, Associate Athletics Director - Business Operations, Maryland
"I'm incredibly excited for Chelsea to receive this opportunity. Colgate has chosen a passionate and dedicated coach to lead the Cross Country and Track & Field programs. She will be a teacher and motivator to ensure current and future Raiders can be their best."
Terrence Weir, Head Coach for Cross Country / Track, George Washington
"This is a great hire for Colgate. Chelsea's commitment and passion to bring out the best in her student-athletes is inspiring! I'm excited for Chelsea as she leads the program into a new era."
