Williamsburg, KY - University of the Cumberlands Athletic Director Chris Kraftick has named Bradley Sowder the new Patriots Head Men's & Women's Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Tuesday afternoon.  Sowder replaces Randy Greer, who resigned from the position last month.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Coach Sowder back to Cumberlands as our new Track & Cross Country Head Coach," said Kraftick. "His energy and passion for the sport are contagious; he sees the potential and has a clear vision for what UC Track and Field should look like in the coming years."

Sowder comes to Cumberlands after spending six years at Spalding University, serving as the Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach for the final five years.  There Sowder guided the Eagles' program to conference and national success.  Sowder led Spalding to three SLIAC Cross Country titles, including the first women's cross country conference championship in program history in 2015.  Sowder, a two-time SLIAC Coach of the Year, has coached one NCAA DIII All-American (Kyle Jenkins) and had a pair of All-Region selections.

"I want to thank Dr. Cockrum and Athletic Director Chris Kraftick for presenting me with this tremendous opportunity and the responsibility to lead the program at Cumberlands," said Sowder. "I'm thrilled to be a part of the program I consider home, and I'm excited to elevate this program to new success."

Under Sowder's guidance, the Eagles' thrived, tallying 11 SLIAC Conference Champions, 13 runners-up, and had 29 student-athletes earn First Team All-Conference accolades.  In addition, he coached 12 second-team all-conference selections.  Sowder coached Brandon Price to the 2015 SLIAC Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year, while Kelsey Phillips and Dane Thomas earned Freshman of the Year honors in 2016 and 2018, respectively.  Spalding saw 90 school records broken under Sowder's tutelage, while the Eagles excelled in the classroom with 34 Academic All-Conference selections. 



Before joining the Eagles staff, Sowder spent three years as the Head Men's Cross Country and Assistant Track Coach at Eastern High School.  He also served as a Volunteer Assistant Coach at the University of Louisville during the 2010-11 season.  Sowder has served as a student minister for Middle School, High School, and College students at the Shelby Christian Church.

Sowder competed at Cumberlands from 2000-2004 before continuing his education at the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with a Bachelor in Arts of Education with a major in Kinesiology and Health Promotion.  
 

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter- @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, YouTube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.