July 13, 2006
Tim Ryerson takes over as men's and women's cross country head coach
Current men's basketball assistant becomes the first full-time assistant coach in program history

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Current Methodist men's basketball assistant coach Tim Ryerson has been named the new men's and women's cross country head coach, Athletics Director Bob McEvoy announced Thursday.

The position was vacated when Matt Hayes, who previously served as both cross country and track and field head coach, resigned in July.  Crystal Williams, who previously served as the track and field assistant coach has been promoted to the head coach of the track and field program and will serve as the assistant coach in cross country.  With the restructure, Ryerson becomes the first full-time men's basketball assistant coach in the 43-year history of the program.

"Coach Ryerson will bring a high energy and a wealth of recruiting success to our cross country programs", said McEvoy. "We are pleased to bring him on our staff on full-time status. I look forward to seeing our cross country programs grow under his solid leadership."

Ryerson came to Methodist as the men's basketball assistant in 2005.  He has also served as Interim Sports Information Director for four months this past spring.  Prior to Methodist, he worked as Recreation Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin- River Falls.  He also spent two seasons as the men's basketball assistant coach, adjunct physical education instructor, and recreation graduate assistant at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Tex., where he served under head coach Dylan Howard.  In addition to numerous summer camp experiences, Ryerson has coached internationally with USA Athletes International and has coached numerous sports at at three Wisconsin high schools; River Falls, Port Edwards, and Saint Mary Central.

"I am extremely grateful to Bob McEvoy for having the confidence in me to hire me as Interim Sport Information Director this spring and now as the cross country head coach," Ryerson said.  "I am excited for the challenge and the opportunity to take on a larger role within the Methodist Athletic Department.  I thoroughly enjoy the Methodist community and look forward to continuing to recruit student-athletes to what I feel is a fantastic college and top notch athletic department."

Ryerson is a native of Hortonville, Wis.  He graduated from Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education/ Social Studies. He also received his master's degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Hardin-Simmons University in 2004.