HARTFORD, Conn. – Trinity College Director of Athletics Drew Galbraith has named John Michael Mason as director of cross country and track and field. In this position, Mason will oversee Trinity's men's and women's cross country and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field varsity programs.
Mason, who completed his fifth season as head men's and women's track and field coach this spring, is a 2012 Trinity College graduate and a former captain of the Bantam track and field teams. Trinity's track and field squads have consistently boasted high team finishes and numerous all-conference, All-New England selections, national qualifiers, and All-American honorees during Mason's tenure as head track and field coach. George Suitor directed Trinity's cross country teams for 30 years and had coached Trinity track and field in various head and assistant coaching roles since 1992.
"We are excited to have John Michael take on this expanded role and build on the storied tradition of Trinity cross country/track & field as well as the legacy of George Suitor," said Galbraith. "Out of a deep and talented pool, John Michael's commitment to the balance of academics and athletics in a liberal arts environment, his enthusiasm and vision for the program and his support of a robust student experience set him apart. We look forward to a bright future for these programs."
The 2022 fall season will mark Mason's 11th year on the coaching staff of Trinity's men's and women's cross country teams and track and field squads. Mason was a Trinity assistant cross country and track and field coach for several years and served as the Bantams' interim cross country and track and field head coach during the 2015 spring semester. He was honored as the 2021 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) New England Men's Track and Field Coach of the Year and shared the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Coaching Staff of the Year award with his track and field assistants that spring.
In 2021-22, Mason guided Trinity to top-eight finishes in both the New England Indoor and Outdoor Men's Track and Field Championship meets, while the Bantam women placed 12th and 22nd, respectively, in the New England Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championship Meets this winter and spring. Both Bantam squads placed among the top eight teams in the 2022 NESCAC Championships, and several men's and women's individuals qualified for and competed in the 2022 NCAA Division III Indoor and Outdoor Championships. The Bantams boasted one runner (Travis Martin), one jumper (Gabby Grattan), and one thrower (Ethan Wilkie) among its three All-American track and field performers in 2022. Mason also helped Trinity's cross country squads finish among the 15 in the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships this fall.
"I am excited to continue working with our great student athletes at Trinity College," said Mason. "I know first-hand what a great place this can be for students, and I look forward to working with the Drew Galbraith, Kristen Noone and the athletic department to cultivate an amazing culture in our campus community. I also wish George Suitor the best on his retirement after over 30 years coaching at Trinity. He is a legend in Connecticut, in our conference, and in Division III cross country and track & field."
Mason graduated from Trinity in 2012 with a degree in Classical Foundations of American Cultural History and added a master's degree from his alma mater in American Studies in 2014. He was a National Qualifier in the distance medley relay and received NESCAC All-Academic honors multiple seasons. He is a member of the Trinity Athletics Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and has directed the Trinity Film Festival at Cinestudio since 2011.
