ELSAH, IL – After seven years of dedicated service to the Principia College athletic department, head cross country and track & field coach Nick Barron has decided to step away and pursue new career opportunities.
Nick joined the department in August 2018 as facility and events manager as well as assistant men's soccer coach. In 2019, he helped lead the men's soccer program to a conference championship and NCAA tournament berth. In 2020, Nick became the department's director of operations, and then in 2022, he was promoted to associate athletic director.
Nick took over the helm of the men's and women's cross country teams in 2021. Since then, he also served as both an assistant coach and the head coach of the men's and women's track & field teams. During his time leading these programs, Nick coached dozens of all-conference athletes, including many school record-setting performances. The men and women's teams each finished as high as second place in the SLIAC multiple times.
Of particular note, Nick helped guide two track & field athletes to Division III nationals, each resulting in All-American honors. Nick's profound impact on his teams and the lives of their student-athletes has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed.
Justin Halley, who had been serving as associate head coach, will take over as our head cross country coach moving forward. Halley was previously the head cross country and track & field coach at Fontbonne University for six years before joining the Principia athletic department last summer.
Athletics Director Ann Pierson says: "While I am sorry to see Coach Barron leave, I am pleased with all the progress that has been going on with the cross country and track & field teams over the past few years. I am confident the program is in good hands and ready to continue to move forward."
