Norton Native Jennings Named Wellesley College Track Coach

Norton native Philip Jennings, the head coach of men's and women's cross country and track and field programs at The College of New Jersey, has decided to follow a trail that takes him back home.

Jennings, who has been in charge of the cross country program at TCNJ since 2005 and track and field teams since 2008-09, accepted a position at Wellesley College.

The institution is less than an hour's drive from Norton, which is where he grew up. Jennings will become the Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach and Assistant Professor of the Practice for the Blue. He replaces John Babington, who recently retired after 26 years in charge of the program.

"The past 10 years here at TCNJ have been extremely rewarding for me," said Jennings, who was named men's cross country, indoor, and outdoor New Jersey Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2012-13. "I have thoroughly enjoyed mentoring hundreds of Lions and watching them mature personally, academically, and athletically. My family and I feel that now is the right time to take on new challenges and move closer to our roots."

During his tenure with the Lions, Jennings led the cross country and track and field programs to a combined 53 NJAC championships. He has been named conference coach of the year 19 times and was also tabbed NCAA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year four times by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

"Phil provided tremendous leadership and direction to our cross country and track and field programs," noted John Castaldo, executive director of athletics and recreation. "His achievements are well-documented, but more important, he has helped develop and shape the lives of so many student-athletes here at TCNJ. The entire athletics staff will miss Phil as a colleague and friend. He is a man of great integrity and we wish Phil and his family the best of luck in all future endeavors."

Wellesley competes in the New England Women and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), which includes the likes of MIT, Babson, Clark, Springfield, and Wheaton. A student body of approximately 2,400 women, Wellesley offers 14 varsity sports. The Blue finished seventh out of 51 teams in the New England NCAA Regional championships last fall.