IMMACULATA, Pa.- Immaculata University Director of Athletics and Recreation, Paul Murphy, announced on Wednesday afternoon the hiring of Patrick Riley Jr. as the head men's and women's cross country coach and equipment manager. Riley joins the Macs following a three-year stint at nearby Wilmington University, where he served as an assistant coach with the men's and women's track and field and cross country programs.

"We are very excited to welcome Patrick to Immaculata University as our Head Cross Country Coach while also assisting with the distance runners in the Track and Field program," began Murphy.  "His experience as a successful collegiate runner at the University of Delaware will allow our students to gain valuable insights and training strategies while Patrick's high school connections should help pave the way for a new wave of talented Mighty Mac runners," concluded Murphy.

During his time at Wilmington, Riley assisted in all facets of managing the cross country and track and field programs and played a crucial role in helping the men's cross country team win back-to-back CACC Conference Championships at the conclusion of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively. Riley also helped the men's team register two Top-10 NCAA Regional finishes during his tenure. With the women's team, Riley assisted the Wildcats in recording a pair of CACC runner-up finishes.  In addition to the team success, Riley helped mentor numerous All-Region and All-Conference honorees and a pair of CACC Individual Conference Champions and CACC Runners of the Year, along with an Individual National Qualifier in 2018.

"I would like to thank Athletic Director Paul Murphy and the entire athletic staff for the opportunity to be a part of the Immaculata community," began Riley.  "I look forward to building a solid foundation for our cross country teams, as well as assisting the track and field teams. I'm also excited to work with each athletic program in the equipment department," concluded Riley.

Before joining the Wildcats coaching staff, Riley spent 11 years as a track and field and cross country coach at Archmere Academy in Delaware, where he helped lead the programs to several Team and Individual State Championships. On the National level, Riley also helped lead his charges to appearances in the Nike Cross Country Nationals and New Balance Outdoor Track and Field Nationals. Riley also successfully mentored 47 All-State Athletes, two Gatorade Athletes of the Year, and one New Balance All-American throughout his time with the Auks.

Prior to his time at Archmere, Riley also served as the head cross country coach for McKean High School in Wilmington, Delaware, where he managed all aspects of the program and helped his athletes achieve All-Conference status and multiple personal bests throughout his tenure.

A 2004 Graduate of the University of Delaware with his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Riley was a decorated member of the Blue Hens track and field and cross country programs earning All-Conference honors four times in cross country and three times in track and field. Riley was also the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Champion in the 10k in 2002 while also serving as a member of the America East Outdoor Track and Field Team Championship at the conclusion of the 2000 season. Riley is also currently working toward his Master of Science in Human Services from Wilmington University.

Riley is set to begin his tenure at Immaculata on January 4, 2021.