Missouri Western hires Bierbaum as first Cross Country, Track & Field coach

MWSUST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University has selected its first-ever head coach for the coming men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.

Marc Bierbaum was selected from a pool of more than 100 candidates. Bierbaum was most recently an assistant women’s cross country and track coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha.  Prior to UNO, Bierbaum served as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach and assistant track coach at his alma mater, Dana College.

“We’re very excited to have Marc lead our new programs,” Missouri Western director of athletics Kurt McGuffin said. “Marc’s enthusiasm really stood out and I think that will be a great attribute as he starts these programs.”

“He has a proven record of success at this level and knows the Midwest. We were really impressed by his knowledge of the area and the MIAA along with his strategies for building a program that Missouri Western can be proud of.”

At Nebraska Omaha, Bierbaum coached 36 all-conference performers and helped the Mavericks break 13 school records. At Dana, he coached a national champion in outdoor track and field; three national qualifiers in cross country; 17 national qualifiers in indoor track and field; 20 national qualifiers in outdoor track and field; two all-americans in indoor track and field; 43 all-conference selections; and saw eight school records fall.

“It’s a dream for me,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone that was involved in the process, everyone I’ve met, the campus, it’s all amazing. I can’t think of a better place to start a program.”

“I’m very excited to get going. This is a unique opportunity for myself and the student-athletes that will get to be a part of the first-ever program here at Missouri Western. This campus has everything we need to be successful. The campus and the people here feel like family already.”

The 2001 Dana College graduate was a two-time national qualifier as a marathoner for the Dana track team and a 1999 national qualifier in cross country. He also has experience coaching at the high school level in the Omaha, Nebraska area and has taught elementary art in Omaha as well.

“I really want to thank everyone at Missouri Western,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone has been very welcoming already. I had a great experience meeting with Dr. Vartabedian and everyone in the athletic department. I can’t wait to join the Missouri Western family.”

Bierbaum will begin his duties in the coming weeks. A search for a full-time assistant coach will begin soon after. The six new teams to Griffon Athletics will begin competition in the fall of 2017.

— MWSU Athletics —