Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University director of athletics Kelley Kish and director of cross country, track and field and triathlon Matt van Lierop announce the hiring of Jackie Kirby as director of operations for cross country and track and field. Kirby joins the Bulldog family after a successful coaching tenure at the University of Mount Olive.
 
Kirby spent 13 years with the UMO Trojans' cross country and track programs, including the last three seasons as head coach for cross country and associate head coach for track and field. At Wingate, she'll be overseeing the daily operations of the entire XCTF program, plus expanding the Bulldogs' social media presence with her skills in photography and graphic design.
 
In addition, Kirby will help Wingate head cross country coach Pol Domenech with cross country and distance events, due to her vast two decades-plus knowledge of this area. Kirby began her Wingate tenure in June.
 
What They Are Saying
WU director of cross country, track and field and triathlon Matt van Lierop on Jackie Kirby:
 
"We are excited to have Coach Jackie Kirby join our Bulldog family as the director of XCTF operations. I worked with Jackie at the University of Mount Olive for a decade, where she helped build that program into a regional and national powerhouse. Before this, we collaborated as student-athlete and coach at Keystone College, where she was honored as a Hall of Fame inductee in 2019."
 
"At Wingate, we've already hit the ground running…her presence will only enhance what we're doing. She does amazing work with photography and graphic design, so spearheading the expansion of our social media presence is the first thing on her to-do list."
 
"Jackie has developed talent and coached All-Americans during her 13-year coaching career, managing the lives of student-athletes from all around the world. We cannot wait to see what she does at Wingate, where she'll have the opportunity to take advantage of all the wonderful resources available to our athletics department, along with the amazing support we receive from our administration and athletics support staff."
 
Jackie Kirby, in her own words
 
"It's a tremendous honor to join the Bulldog family. Once again having the opportunity to work with Matt van Lierop, Pol Domenech and Demond (Cooper) makes Wingate already feel like I'm coming home. I am excited to join and contribute to the already talented coaching staff and national class team. Wingate's cross country and track and field programs are on the cusp of making a huge impact on the NCAA championship stage. I am thrilled to be included on this journey."  
 
Jackie Kirby coaching biographical sketch
 
- Started Mount Olive cross country head coaching tenure with Conference Carolinas men's Coach of the Year award in 2019
- Six-time USTFCCCA Southeast Region track and field Assistant Coach of the Year while at UMO
- 47 times Conference Carolinas league champions (both XC and T&F)
- 15 times Southeast Region champions (both XC and T&F)
- 57 NCAA Division II All-Americans (both XC and T&F)
- 14 NCAA Division II XC national championship appearances with a 15th place men's showing in 2019
- 14 NCAA Division II indoor track and field national championship appearances
- 18 NCAA Division II outdoor track and field national championship appearances
- Impacted every area of the UMO XCTF programs, including team operations, training and recruiting
- Coordinated volunteer service outreach for the Trojans
- Served four years as Mount Olive's athletic department photographer for all sports.
- Worked seven years as the program's graphic designer and social media coordinator
 
Jackie Kirby USTFCCCA regional and national involvement
 
- Served on USTFCCCA national and regional poll committees (2016-present)
- Served on USTFCCCA NCAA Division II cross country executive committee as Conference Carolinas representative (2018-22)
 
Jackie Kirby education and athletic honors
 
- Earned Bachelor of Arts degree in visual art, photography and graphic design from Keystone (Pa.) College in 2009
- Inducted into Keystone College's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019
- Received the Keystonian awarded to the school's most outstanding athlete three times (2007, 2008 and 2009)
- Served on Keystone Student-Athlete Advisory Committee three years
- Served as team captain for both cross country and track and field for two seasons each under the tutelage of then-KC head coach Matt van Lierop
 
Wingate University
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. 

Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.