SAINT PAUL, Minn. --- Devin Monson has stepped down from his position as Hamline University head men's and women's cross country coach and assistant men's and women's track & field coach.

"I want to thank Devin for all he has done for the Cross Country and Track and Field programs, our student-athletes, and Hamline University. His commitment as both a student-athlete and a coach has made a lasting impact. We are grateful for all he has given to Hamline." says Assistant Vice President and Athletic Director Alex Focke. 

Monson departs Hamline after being a Piper for roughly 16 years as either a student-athlete or coach.  Monson was a member of the Pipers' three consecutive men's cross country titles (2009-11), and the Thompson, North Dakota native (who is still the school record holder for the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races) also had his own individual honors. He was a three-time All-American, receiving the honor in the 2010 cross country season as well as earning it in the 5k and 10k races in the 2012 track and field season. In 2011, he bested 330 runners to finish first at the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational held at the University of Minnesota. Monson also has three MIAC titles to his credit. He beat back the field to take the top spot at the 2010 men's cross country meet and in 2012, he won the 5,000 indoor race and 10,000 outdoor race at the MIAC Championships. 

At the helm of the cross country program, Monson has coached two All-Americans in Helen Dolan and Fernando Benitez, who earned the honor in 2019. Dolan was the women's team's third All-American and the first in 10 years. Benitez was the men's program's 12^th All-American and the first since 2011. Monson has also coached individuals to seven All-MIAC awards and seven All-MIAC Honorable Mention performances. Academically, the women's program earned USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition seven times (2016-2020, 2022-2023), while the men earned the distinction five times (2016-2019, 2022) for maintaining a team GPA of at least 3.10. On the track, Monson helped four distance runners qualify for the NCAA Championships in the 2020 indoor season and coached two student-athletes who broke school records - Alexandra Maddux set a new 1000-meter record (2:57.04) and Dolan set a new mile record (5:01.05). In Monson's first year as the director of the track and field program, the Pipers sent four to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2021, with two (Dolan - 5000-meter run and Joe Martin - shot put) putting up All-American performances.

"Sixteen years at Hamline, first as an athlete and then as a coach, has been a dream come true. From the mentors who taught me to value every runner, no matter their pace, to the MIAC champions and All-Americans I had the privilege to coach, I'm incredibly grateful." stated Monson,  "What I'll miss most are the relationships and the chance to support so many amazing people. I'm excited to remain a proud alum while stepping into this next chapter and supporting my wife in her new career in Madison, Wisconsin."