ALMA, Mich. – After wrapping up his 13th season at the helm of the Cross Country/Track and Field programs, Matt Chovanec, a 1991 graduate of Alma College, will be stepping down from his head coach position. Chovanec was one of the longest tenured coaches on staff for Scots athletics as he has been with the program in a coaching capacity since the 2002 season, including serving as the head track and field coach form 2004-2006, before being named to his current position on July 25th, 2014.
During his time as head coach of both programs, Chovanec coached numerous Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions and All-MIAA athletes for both men and women as well as rewriting the record boards with countless additions, as well as a handful of NCAA National Championship qualifiers throughout the years.
"My time at Alma has been special and as an alum, it will hold a special place with me. I never built my career on all the accolades or champions; it was the student-athletes who accomplished all that and to be proud of. I have always been here to guide and support them along their journeys as well as enjoying the ride" said Chovanec regarding his time as a Scot.
Throughout the years, Chovanec amassed several indoor and outdoor track and field qualifiers for the national championship meet, including the names of Erica Bigham, Bailey Hoffman, Kaitlyn Arnold, who was an NCAA Elite 90 winner and cross country qualifier as well, and Ashley Halm. In addition to his national qualifiers and All-Americans, Chovanec also coached many athletes to United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Great Lakes All-Region honorees as well with a couple dozen plus for both the men and women teams. Outside of the competitions, Chovanec also helped guide the teams to USTFCCCA All-Academic teams, five straight times for the women and three consecutive times for the men, with both teams receiving the honor this fall for Cross Country and will await an announcement this summer regarding the track and field seasons as well.
"I can't say it enough of how proud we are to have student-athletes in this program who understand what it takes to get it done on the competitive side as well as in the classroom. This is a true team honor as well as a testament to their dedication and time management skills."
Prior to Alma, Chovanec was a highly touted coach for Breckenridge High School, taking over the track & field and cross country programs as well. With the Huskies, Chovanec coached two individual state champions and had his track teams place in the top ten at the MHSAA state championships three times. He coached 18 all-state athletes, including state champions in the 100-meter dash and long jump, and the boy's team won four consecutive league and regional titles from 1992-95. In addition, his 1994 team was the Class C state runner-up. Chovanec's cross country teams qualified for the state meet four out of eight years he was coach, including winning the MHSAA Boys Class C Regional title in 1998.
Graduating in 1991 with a B.A. in History, Chovanec was a two-sport, four-time letter-winner in both cross country and track and field. A two-time All-MIAA honoree, Co-Most Valuable Athlete and co-captain for the 1990 cross country team, Chovanec still holds the 10,000-meter school record as well with a time of 31:19.91.
A national search will commence immediately regarding the search for the next head coach of the cross country/track and field programs.
