Aug. 16, 2007
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rhonda Riley, most recently an assistant coach with defending women’s indoor and outdoor track national champion Arizona State, has been named assistant cross country coach at Vanderbilt. She will assist both the women’s and men’s cross country teams.
“Her experience with a high level of NCAA accomplishment is very appealing to me and adds special dimension to our program,” commented Head Coach Steven Keith.
Coming off major success at Arizona State, Riley’s goals are equally high.
“My goal is to help the Vanderbilt’s cross country team win a national championship. It can definitely be done,” said Riley.
Riley grew up in Portland, Oregon, and attended Sunset High School, starring as a three sport athlete: soccer, track, and basketball.
She attended Oregon State even though at the time the university had neither a women’s cross country or track program. However, she has participated in a total of six marathons with the most recent being the prestigious Boston Marathon.
“That’s why I’m kind of unique to be coaching for the fact that I never did compete in college.”
After graduating from Oregon State in 2004, Riley served as an assistant coach there for one year. Under mentor Kelly Sullivan, Riley learned the ins and outs of collegiate coaching ranging from administrative duties to dealing with student-athletes on a daily basis.
After one year at Oregon State, she took her knowledge and talents south to national power Arizona State.
“My connection with the team was working with the distance runners,” says Riley. “When I am able to run with them, that’s when I am able to talk to them, find out what’s going on in their lives, and help them in that capacity.”
Riley relishes the opportunity to help lead Vanderbilt and compete in the Southeastern Conference, saying, “To have a larger role as an assistant coach and have the freedom to take the last three years of what I’ve learned and apply that to a new team is really appealing to me.”
