Contact: Jake Fish
Phone: (850) 474-2140
August 10, 2005

Dobson Promoted to Full Time Head Coach of UWF Cross Country and Track Programs

Pensacola, Fla. - West Florida Athletic DirectorRichard Berg has announced the promotion of Matt Dobson to head coach of both the men's and women's cross country and track teams. Dobson becomes the first full-time head coach for the UWF cross country
and track teams in the program's history.

"It's a dream fulfilled," explained Dobson. "To be able to coach full time and teach here at UWF is very satisfying for me."

He has served as the head coach for the men's cross country and track teams since 2000. In five seasons with cross country, Dobson has compiled a 275-61 (.818) record versus Division II schools. He also led two long distance track runners to the Division II National Championship Meet last spring. Dobson will take over the reins of the women's program from retired head coach Dan Keely who served as head coach since 1999.

"It's time to raise the bar for the women's programs, and it's going to happen now," states Dobson.

Dobson attended West Florida in 1987-88, and led the Argonauts to a berth in the NAIA National Championships in both seasons. He currently owns the school record for the 5K and 15K times. He transferred to Florida State in the spring of 1989. While at FSU, Dobson set many records in both sports; most notably, he is a member of the 1991 FSU track team that became NCAA Division I co-record holders for most consecutive conference track and field titles with 15. He was the 1991 Metro Conference 10,000-meter champion and is among the top 13 all-time 10,000-meter runners for FSU track and field.

Dobson continued his success following his collegiate career. He became a national champion in the 5,000 meters at the 2001 USA Track and Field Master's Championship (30-34 age group). Dobson is also an accomplished marathon runner, twice competing in the Boston Marathon. In 2004 he finished 49th overall, with the 16th top American time. He became the first American winner of the 2004 Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando. Also in 2004, the USA Track and Field Florida Association named him the Florida Long Distance Runner of the Year.

"We are fortunate to have Matt join our staff full-time to coordinate our men's and women's teams. He has done an excellent job with our men's team, along with Dan who did an excellent job with our women's program," said Berg. "We are especially pleased that the cross country teams will have a full time head coach to work with our student athletes."