St. Catherine University athletic director Eric Stacey announced today the promotion of Shannon Houlihan to head track and field and cross country coach. Houlihan has served as the assistant track and field coach and assistant sports information director for the last two years.
 
“Coach Houlihan has proven to be a great member of our coaching staff, and a real asset for our track and field program,” said Stacey.  “During her two years at St. Kate's she has consistently shown her strong work ethic and her passion for track and field. Her determination to continue building both our cross country and track and field teams will serve the program well in the coming years,” said Stacey.
 
Before coming to St. Kate's, Houlihan spent the past two seasons as an assistant track and field coach at Smith College in Massachusetts. At Smith, Houlihan was the event coach for the sprints, hurdles and jumps.  While at Smith, Houlihan also earned her Master of Science Degree in Exercise and Sport Studies.

Prior to her stint at Smith, Houlihan was an assistant track & field coach at Williams College in Massachusetts. As the jumps coach at Williams, she was a part of the of 2007 NCAA Women's Indoor National Championship team and coached four NESCAC Individual Champions and three NCAA All-Americans.
 
In discussing her promotion Coach Houlihan said, “I am thrilled to be the next head coach at St. Kate's. I appreciate the opportunity that Eric Stacey is giving me, and thank Coach Henderson for helping me make the transition to St. Kate's and the MIAC. I am excited to continue working with such smart, strong and talented student-athletes, and look forward to continuing to build and strenthen the Wildcats cross country and track and field programs."