June 11, 2007

KINGSTON, RI - Rhode Island head coach John Copeland was honored as the 2007 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Northeast Coach of the Year, it was announced in Sacramento, CA, site of the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Copeland earns his third coaching honor of the 2007 campaign, as he was honored by the Atlantic 10 as Coach of the Year in both in the Indoor and Outdoor seasons.

In his 25th season with the URI's men's track & field program, he has enjoyed great success throughout his tenure. The Rams have won six of the last seven A-10 outdoor crowns, while also capturing five of the last seven indoor titles.

Additionally, assistant coach Derek Yush was nominated for Assistant Coach of the Year in the Northeast Region.

URI senior Ashhad Agyapong became the first student-athlete in program history to qualify for the NCAA Championships in two events (100m, 200m) and posted times of 10.51 and 21.48.

Serving in the United States' Army for three years, Copeland was awarded the Bronze Star while on tour in Vietnam. He began his coaching as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Connecticut in 1971. He also doubled as the head coach at E.O. Smith High in Storrs, Conn., from 1971-73. Prior to coming to Rhode Island, Copeland was the head coach at New Hampshire for nine seasons, where he garnered District I Coach of the Year honors in 1978.

While at student at Connecticut, Copeland was named captain of the Husky track and field team in 1967. As a hurdler, he was a three-time New England Champion and an NCAA qualifier. In addition, he was a six-time Yankee Conference Champion, two-time New England runner-up, an ICAAAA runner-up and was twice named team MVP. Copeland received a bachelor's degree in Bacteriology in 1968.

In addition to his duties as the URI coach, he is secretary of the United States Cross Country Coaches Association and also serves on numerous track and cross-country committees throughout the Northeast region and nationally.

Copeland and his wife, Jane, live in West Kingston, RI.