Wheeling, W. Va. - Over the last several seasons, the Wheeling University Track & Field team has been run by Head Coach Patrick Stanton as they continuously show themselves as one of the top teams in the Mountain East Conference (MEC). On Thursday, the program added another leader to its family with the announcement of Ben Healy as the Assistant Track & Field Coach. Healy's experience as a multi event athlete will help in all assets of the program as they prepare for 2024-2025.
"I am very excited to be a part of the Cardinal family," said Healy. "I'm looking forward to utilizing my experience as a decathlete to contribute to the success of the team this year."
Healy comes to the Cardinals after spending the 2023-2024 season as an Intern Track & Field Coach with Southern Connecticut State University. While working with the Owls, Healy assisted with the sprints, jumps, and multis, while also assisting with running and technical workouts for his athletes. Under his watch, the Owls had two runners in the 400-Meter dash at the 2024 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, with Owls sprinter Hannah Caiola earning All-American honors with a ninth-place finish. Before joining the Southern Connecticut staff, Healy held an internship as a strength and conditioning coach at Quinnipiac University in spring 2022.
Along with his experience as a coach, Healy has plenty of experience of his own on the track, competing as a five-year Decathlete at NCAA DI Sacred Heart University. Over his five seasons, Healy took third at the Indoor New England Championships in 2023 and 2024 and added a third-place finish at the Outdoor New England Championships in 2023. In his final run at the Outdoor New England Championships in 2024, Healy would put together his best effort of his career, taking second overall in the Decathlon. He served as a Team Captain for the Pioneers for three seasons and looks to bring that experience and leadership to the Cardinals.
"We are super excited to welcome Ben to the Cardinal family," said Stanton. "His experience as an athlete and a coach will be a huge asset to our program. As a multi athlete, he has the versatility to help us with a variety of event groups. It was also clear in the interview that he will be a perfect culture-fit for our team and Wheeling University. In the Assistant Coach role, I was determined to find a candidate who has the knowledge to help our students grow as athletes and the mindset and passion to help them grow as people. I am confident we have found that in Ben!"
Healy obtained a master's degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Sacred Heart University in 2024 and obtained a Bachelor's in Exercise Science in 2022. Healy and Stanton will continue to lead their team through the offseason as they prepare for the 2024-2025 season.
