RAUSCH RESIGNS AT WESTFIELD STATE CROSS COUNTRY COACH
Robert Rausch has announced his resignation as the head
coach of both the Westfield State men's and women's cross country
teams.
Rausch's tenure at Westfield State was highly successful. He
coached the men's team for 13 years, leading them to seven
championships in the Massachusetts State College Athletics
Conference (MASCAC).
He was even more successful with the women's team, guiding them to
nine MASCAC crowns and three runner-up finishes in 12 years. In
addition, the Westfield women finished second five times in the New
England Alliance championships, and placed 11th in the 1999 New
England Division III championships.
"I've had the time of my life coaching cross country at Westfield
State College. The satisfaction you get from being part of the
growth and development of young adults is immeasurable," said
Rausch, who is a professor in the Westfield State movement science
department. "I'm going to really miss that daily contact with
athletes.
"It's been an honor and a pleasure to work with the wonderful
people in our athletics department, as well as with the coaches and
runners throughout the region," Rausch continued. "I'm looking
forward to having more time to spend with my family and the
opportunity to take on some new challenges."
"On behalf of Westfield State, I want to thank coach Rausch for his
professionalism, hard work and time that he has dedicated to our
cross country program," said Westfield State athletics director
Richard Lenfest. "Bob is a first-class educator
and coach. He is well respected by his student-athletes, colleagues
and fellow coaches. Bob's success as a coach is unparalleled in the
conference and our department and we will surely miss working with
him. I wish Bob the very best in his future endeavors."
