University of Minnesota Athletics
McDonnell Named Volunteer Assistant
9/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Sept. 5, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) – University of Minnesota Director of Men’s Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia has announced the hiring of Declan McDonnell as the team’s volunteer assistant coach.
“Declan brings a wealth of knowledge and coaching experience to our program, and we are excited to add him to our staff,” Plasencia said.
McDonnell comes to the Gophers after spending two seasons as an assistant track & field and cross country coach at Riverview Gardens High School (Mo.), where he helped re-launch the school’s cross country program in 2012. In addition to his coaching duties, McDonnell assisted in all aspects of the track & field and cross country programs while with the Rams including fundraising and meet management. McDonnell also served as a high school biology instructor during his time at Riverview Gardens.
A native of Palos Park, Ill., McDonnell previously served as an assistant track coach and executive officer of the University of Illinois Track Club. A club alum, his coaching focused on the men’s and women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase while he also coordinated travel arrangements for the organization.
McDonnell graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies in 2012 and added a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2014. He also holds a USATF Level I Track & Field Coach certification.
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