Wheeling, W. Va. - Over the last year and a half, Ben Healy has served as an assistant coach with the Wheeling University Track & Field program, working across several different events. On Tuesday, the program announced Healy's promotion to Head Track & Field / Cross Country Coach, becoming the fifth head coach in the program's history. Healy has embedded himself in the culture of the Track & Field program since he arrived, and is excited to push that culture in a positive direction into the future.
"I am very blessed to have the opportunity to take on this role as the Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach at Wheeling," said Healy. "I love being a part of the culture at Wheeling University, and now I am excited to be able to continue to grow the team and strengthen the Cardinal culture."
Over the last two seasons, Healy has worked with a wide variety of events for the Cardinals, ranging from sprints and hurdles to jumps and pole vault. He has helped mentor four All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) honorees throughout his Cardinal career, including 2026 First Team All-MEC Pole Vaulter Alex Rodriguez. He helped coach Rodriguez to the NCAA Provo Mark in the Men's Pole Vault, leading him to break the MEC Indoor Championship Men's Pole Vault record with a height of 4.80 meters. During the 2023-24 season, Healy would coach jumper Kabwe Bwalya to a pair of All-MEC titles in the Triple Jump, earning Honorable Mention All-MEC honors at each step of the way.
Along with his coaching duties, Healy has had a big hand behind the scenes of the Track & Field program, spearheading the team's recruiting efforts. He regularly meets with perspective athletes, introducing them to the team's culture to see if they are a good fit. Under his watch last summer, the program brought in a class of 15 recruits for the Track & Field and Cross Country programs. He is already welcoming recruits in for the 2026-2027 Track & Field and Cross Country schedules, and looks to continue pushing the positive culture of the program into the future.
"Coach Ben Healy has proven his readiness to lead Wheeling's Track & Field/Cross Country programs," said Wheeling University Athletic Director Carrie Hanna. "His character, talents, and skills align perfectly with our Wheeling mission, vision, and values needed to create a bright future for our Cardinals flying forward."
Prior to Wheeling, Healy spent the 2023-2024 season as an intern Track & Field Coach with Southern Connecticut State University. 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.
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.
