University of Connecticut Athletics
Greg Roy Promoted to Director of Men's & Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Programs
7/31/2019 10:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut director of athletics David Benedict announced that Greg Roy has been named the Director of Cross Country and Track & Field and will now oversee the combining of the men and women's programs for the Huskies. Roy has served as the head coach of the men's cross country and track & field teams for the past 35 years.
"We are making this move to combine our track programs for the benefit of our student-athletes," commented Benedict. "A combined program is common place in collegiate track and will provide our student-athletes with greater expertise and more specialized coaching in event areas and also allow for more efficient travel and scheduling."
"Most importantly, it will strengthen the bond that already exists within the two programs as they will train and compete together," stated Benedict. "With so many years of experience and success here at UConn and with his commitment to the overall success of our student-athletes, Greg is the perfect fit to take on this new role."
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me personally and I am honored and feel very privileged to be the first director of track & field at the University of Connecticut," stated Roy. "I have felt for some time that this would be great for our student-athletes, the coaching staff and for the athletic department at UConn."
"This allows us to do more for our student-athletes and at a higher level," continued Roy. "Especially with structuring staff and scheduling. Our goal is to be trying at all-times to provide opportunities for student-athletes and enhancing their experience at UConn."
With the start of the cross-country season this fall, Roy will begin his 35th season at UConn. During his tenure in Storrs, Roy has helped the Huskies to 15 conference titles as well coaching 36 All-Americans on the men's side.
The 2019-20 season will be the Huskies last in the American Athletic Conference where they have won and indoor and outdoor championship on the men's side and two indoor titles and a cross-country title on the women's side. The 2020-21 season will feature UConn's return home to the Big East Conference where the men won nine indoor titles and four outdoor titles, all under Roy's tutelage. The women won a pair of indoor and outdoor championships during the program's inaugural stint in the league.
"I really want to thank David Benedict and his administrative staff for the confidence and faith in me and the support that they have shown already for what we are trying to do here," said Roy. "It will be a big task to change this into a combined program and we are excited to get started. We are close to getting a full coaching staff in place and my current staff has done a great job with the transition process."
