Merrill-Morin to coach at Mitchell College

Former Olympian and Waterford native will head men’s, women’s cross country teams

New London — Jan Merrill-Morin is a former Olympian in the middle distances, the biggest stage. Yet when she stepped on to the campus of Mitchell College recently, there was something about the familial atmosphere that just felt right.

Merrill-Morin was hired as Mitchell's men's and women's cross country coach, according to a press release Monday from athletic director Dana Fulmer Garfield.

Mitchell competes in the New England Collegiate Conference at the Division III level.

“When I coached at Rutgers, there were three athletic directors and I think I talked to each of them a half a second when I was there,” said Merrill-Morin, a Waterford native and resident. “This is a whole different type atmosphere.

“Sometimes I just want to help kids improve. I want to help them in any way, maintain their balance as they go through this college thing … sometimes you're going to get someone who just becomes a success. It's a little school. It's beautiful.”

Merrill-Morin is also the head boys' outdoor track coach at Old Saybrook and an assistant for the Rams' indoor program.

She was a finalist in the 1,500 at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and a gold medalist at the 1975 and 1979 Pan-American Games. Merrill-Morin is a former world-record holder in the 3,000 meters and two-mile events in-

doors, the 5,000 outdoors and at one time held the U.S. record in the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000.

She coached cross country and track at Waterford High School from 1988-2006. In 2007, she accepted a position at Division I Rutgers University, serving as assistant cross country and track coach for eight seasons.

“We are excited to add Jan to our coaching staff,” Fulmer Garfield said in the release. “She has an outstanding resume that really speaks for itself and we are fortunate to have someone of her caliber take over the programs. She's a well-respected member of the community and our student-athletes will benefit greatly from both her expertise and passion for the sport.”

There are approximately 22 runners combined in the men's and women's programs,” Merrill-Morin said. There are no track teams at Mitchell.

“Baby steps,” Merrill-Morin said. “Just try to get their attention first and set up some good things. Build that culture.” v.fulkerson@theday.com