July 12, 2007
Ross Hired to Lead Track and Field Program
Former Olympian will coach Monarchs this year

FAYETTEVILLE, NC -  Methodist University Director of Athletics Bob McEvoy has announced Duane Ross will take over as head coach of the track and field program. Ross joins the Monarchs after completing his professional career as an Olympian and world class sprinter.

"Duane Ross will be a great addition to Methodist University as our new Head Coach for Track and Field," McEvoy said. "Coach Ross brings outstanding credentials as an athlete, but also will be a great mentor, role model and teacher for our student-athletes. We had an outstanding pool of candidates for the position and Coach Ross emerged without question as the right choice to lead and grow our program."

Prior to coming to Methodist, Ross competed as a professional hurdler while qualifying for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Ross was a silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Trials and earned a bronze medal at the 1999 World Championships. His athletic credentials speak volumes about his passion for the sport.

In addition to competing, Ross has served as an Assistant Track and Field Coach at Bethune-Cookman College as well as a Volunteer Assistant Coach/Consultant at North Carolina State University. He gained valuable experience designing workout plans and assisting with the programs’ recruiting. Ross recently became the Chief Executive Officer and Head Track and Field Coach of the Triangle Athletic Association's managing the youth athletic club with more than 200 members.

Ross attended high school in Dallas, North Carolina before attending Clemson University where he would become a seven-time All-American, Five-Time ACC Champion and NCAA Champion. After graduation, Ross stayed on as a Volunteer Assistant from 1996-1998. In 2000, Ross helped to form the Ross Winston Financial Group where he serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Financial Consulting.

"I am very excited about joining the Methodist family," Ross said. "I hope to develop a balanced program where the athletes can be proud, other teams will take notice and potential student-athletes will take notice."

Ross resides in Garner, N.C. with his wife Kris and four children. He graduated from Clemson in 1996 with a degree in Financial Management.