Ellis Gallion Named MVNU Track and Field Coach

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Mount Vernon Nazarene University Athletics Director Chip Wilson has named Ellis Gallion as the second head coach of the MVNU Track and Field program ahead of the 2019-20 season.

"Ellis was a tremendous leader in his time at MVNU as a student-athlete, and as a coach and athletic director at Granville Christian Academy," said Wilson. "I know he has a passion for student-athletes, and his enthusiasm and love for MVNU Athletics will be well-received. I am excited for the future of our track and field program under the direction of Coach Gallion."

Gallion was most recently the Athletic Director and Track and Field/Cross Country coach at Granville Christian Academy in Granville, Ohio, where he was also a Physical and Health Education teacher. Under his leadership, the Granville Christian cross country teams won three straight Mid-Ohio Christian Athletic League (MOCAL) conference championships, the GCA boys team reaching the OHSAA regionals for the first time this past season. Gallion also developed the track and field programs to both win three straight MOCAL conference championships, and sent multiple athletes to both the district finals and the regionals for the first time in program history.

Gallion is a former member of MVNU's track and field program, having joined the team in 2015 when it was re-launched. Gallion graduate in 2016 with a degree in Physical and Health Education.

"I am honored and excited to take over the MVNU track and field program," said Gallion. "As a student-athlete I was a member of the team during the first two years in 2015 and 2016 and I have watched from afar as Coach Wilson has grown the program into the successful team that it is today. I can't wait to step in and strive for continued excellence while being a part of the MVNU athletic community."

After a long hiatus, MVNU's track and field program was reintroduced for the 2015 season. In that time, the program has grown to feature multiple Crossroads League champions and NAIA All-Americans, including three this past season. The program's rise culminated this season when Mitchell Soviak became the program's first NAIA National Champion in an event, winning the gold medal in the shot put at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

For continued coverage of MVNU track and field, go to www.mvnucougars.com.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and several convenient Graduate and Professional Studies locations throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,200 students from 31 states and 22 countries/U.S. territories.