Coaching Staff
Beth Alford-Sullivan
Director of Men's and Women's Track and Field/Cross-Country
After 13 years and 106 NCAA All-Americans on the women's side, as well as six years and 32 All-America honorees with the men's squad, Beth Alford-Sullivan enters her 14th year at the helm of the Nittany Lion women's program and her seventh campaign as the Director and Head Coach of Track and Field/Cross Country, overseeing both the men's and women's programs.
Sullivan's decorated resume is undoubtedly among the most impressive in the country, as it includes two NCAA "Trophy" Team finishes, six Big Ten team titles, one Big Ten "Triple Crown," as well as three individual NCAA Champions, and one NCAA Champion relay.
Since taking the reigns of both the men's and women's programs in 2006, Sullivan has remained steadfast to the vision of having two programs in the top tier of the conference and the NCAA, with both the men's and women's squads making outstanding statements during the 2011-12 campaign, highlighted by the Nittany Lions' haul of 12 USTFCCCA First Team All-America finishes on the year.
John Gondak
Associate Head Coach
John Gondak: John Gondak begins his seventh year in Happy Valley as an assistant with the Nittany Lion cross country and distance squads. Gondak's resume while with the Blue and White - which can be matched by few middle distance mentors in the country - includes 10 USTFCCCA First Team All-Americans, 12 Big Ten Champions, 17 Penn State records, three Big Ten Freshman of the Year honorees, three Penn Relays victories, and two sub-4:00 milers.
Gondak's charges had another fine campaign on the track during the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2012, capped by a victory in the 4x800-meter relay at the prestigious Penn Relays - the Lions' first victory in the event since 1987. Gondak also led Robby Creese - the 4x800 anchor - to one of the more impressive freshman seasons on record, as the rookie broke the 4:00 mile barrier on two occasions, and qualified for the NCAA mile final as the only rookie in the field.
Fritz Spence
Assistant Coach
Fritz Spence: Fritz Spence is in his seventh year coaching the Nittany Lion jumpers and multi-event athletes, after six outstanding years in Happy Valley. In his first six years with the Nittany Lions, Spence has overseen 13 All-America efforts, including Gayle Hunter, who claimed a total of nine All-America certificates under Spence's watch.
Spence took on a new coaching role in 2012, overseeing the Nittany Lion men's and women's javelin throwers, including All-America finishers Laura Loht and Lauren Kenney. The Nittany Lions javelinists had a stellar season under Spence, beginning with a victory at Kenney at the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival. During the championship portion of the season, Spence guided the duo to a one-two finish at the Big Ten Championships with Loht taking top honors.
Randy Bungard
Assistant Coach
Randy Bungard: Director and Head Coach of Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan has announced to hiring of Randy Bungard, who will step in as an assistant coach, overseeing the Nittany Lions' highly successful sprints, hurdles, and relays contingent. Bungard brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Happy Valley, most recently serving as the Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. Over his career, Bungard has coached numerous NCAA Champions, and nearly 100 All-Americans.
Patrick Ebel
Assistant Coach
Patrick Ebel: Patrick Ebel - formerly of Division III powerhouse, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh - was hired to lead the Nittany Lion throws contingent in August of 2012. Ebel enjoyed an outstanding coaching stint at UW-Oshkosh, coaching nearly 150 NCAA Division III All-Americans in the throws, as well as 34 NCAA Champions. Since arriving at UW-Oshkosh in 2001, Ebel has maintained one of the most prolific throws contingents in the NCAA, as his event area has been ranked number one in Division III since his arrival. Statistically speaking, 24 of his Titan throwers are also ranked on the all-time NCAA Top 10 lists. All told, Ebel's athletes have set UW-Oshkosh records on 43 occasions.
Kevin Kelly
Assistant Coach
Kevin Kelly: Director and Head Coach of Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan announced the hiring of Kevin Kelly, who has signed on at Penn State after enjoying a highly successful 11-year coaching stint at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Kelly will serve as an assistant coach for the Nittany Lions, covering men's horizontal and vertical jumps, as well as overseeing the men's multi-event athletes, and men's and women's pole vaulters. Prior to his departure from New Brunswick, he was overseeing the efforts of all the Scarlet Knight's field event athletes.
Additional staff members include outstanding high school, collegiate and club coaches. Varsity athletes will serve as instructors and counselors.
