THIEL'S FRANKLIN TO CONTINUE WHERE MORGAN LEFT OFF

Kevin Fenstermacher
Assistant Athletic Director
Sports Information Director
75 College Ave.
Greenville, PA 16125
Phone - 724.589.2187
Fax - 724.589.2880
kfenstermacher@thiel.edu
www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: April 16, 2008

FRANKLIN TO ASSUME DUTIES AS HEAD TRACK AND FIELD COACH

GREENVILLE, Pa. (April 16) -- Thiel College announced Wednesday the promotion of Ricardo Franklin '02 to the position of head men's and women's track and field coach. Franklin will take over for Clyde Morgan '00, who has recently accepted the head men's track and field position at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind.

"It is an honor and privilege to be taking over as the head track and field coach at my alma mater," said Franklin. "I have a great deal of love and respect for the people and traditions of the College and will represent Thiel as a proud alumnus. This has been a career goal of mine every since I began coaching. Working under two great head coaches in my career I have gained valuable on-and-off the track experience. I look to continue the traditions and family atmosphere that has been a part of Thiel College track and field every since becoming a Tomcat in 1997."

Franklin, currently finishing his first season as an assistant under Morgan, served as an assistant coach at Case Western Reserve University under head coach Dennis Harris for five years before returning to his alma mater. While at Case Franklin worked primarily with the jumpers and hurdlers.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Franklin is a 1997 graduate of Saint Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, Ohio. He was named an All-State quarterback and won the state title in the 110-meter hurdles as a senior with the Firebirds. Franklin graduated from Thiel in 2002 with a degree in art as well as an elementary education certification. He was a four-year member of the Tomcat football program where he was a four-time All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) selection as a defensive back, two-time team MVP and two-time All-American. He was a two-time PAC champion in the 110-meter high hurdles (1999, 2000) and was named the PAC's Most Outstanding Performer in 1999 when he won the 110-meter hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump. He was a four-time NCAA Division III national qualifier for the Indoor Championships in the 55-meter high hurdles.

"Coach Morgan is a man of great character. His departure will be felt by athletes and non-athletes alike. Thiel College is a better place because he served here. We are thrilled to have Coach Franklin on board and his commitment and beliefs are very much alike to those instilled in our students by Coach Morgan. Coach Franklin has the motivation to build upon the foundation laid by Coach Morgan," said Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Roseanne Gill-Jacobson.

Morgan, wrapping up his fifth season as the head coach of men's and women's track and field programs, led the Tomcats to the PAC Men's Championship and earned conference coach of the year honors in his first full season as the head coach in 2004. He is confident that the right person for the job is in place.

"Rico and I have a great relationship and have been friends since 1997. He's like younger brother to me. We learn from each other, not just about track, but about life," said Morgan. "A very dedicated and loyal individual, Rico is going to bring great character, class, leadership and passion to the program."

"It was very important to leave the program in capable hands because the team, the College, and the kids in the program are a part of who I am. I always preach family, academics, commitment, loyalty and passion, so I was very excited to here that Coach Franklin was going to assume the head coaching duties, "said Morgan. "My main concern is that my kids graduate and are taken care of, and that the program continues to go in the right direction. I feel very confident that it will be the commitment of the administration to continue to show support to the track and field program and athletics as a whole."

Over the past four seasons Morgan has coached five NCAA Division III All-Americans, including one national champion and one runner-up. He has produced 96 conference champions, 156 All-PAC performers, and six PAC Most Valuable Athlete Award winners. Morgan also served as the college's director of minority affairs, coordinating and planning on-campus programs to promote diversity. A 2000 Thiel graduate, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Tomcat football team and worked as an assistant with the track and field program for three years prior to taking over head coaching duties. Morgan will begin his duties at Wabash on July 1.

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www.thiel.edu/athletics

		Kevin Fenstermacher Assistant Athletic Director Sports Information Director 75 College Ave. Greenville, PA 16125 Phone - 724.589.2187 Fax - 724.589.2880 kfenstermacher@thiel.edu www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: April 16, 2008 FRANKLIN TO ASSUME DUTIES AS HEAD TRACK AND FIELD COACH GREENVILLE, Pa. (April 16) -- Thiel College announced Wednesday the promotion of Ricardo Franklin '02 to the position of head men's and women's track and field coach. Franklin will take over for Clyde Morgan '00, who has recently accepted the head men's track and field position at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind. "It is an honor and privilege to be taking over as the head track and field coach at my alma mater," said Franklin. "I have a great deal of love and respect for the people and traditions of the College and will represent Thiel as a proud alumnus. This has been a career goal of mine every since I began coaching. Working under two great head coaches in my career I have gained valuable on-and-off the track experience. I look to continue the traditions and family atmosphere that has been a part of Thiel College track and field every since becoming a Tomcat in 1997." Franklin, currently finishing his first season as an assistant under Morgan, served as an assistant coach at Case Western Reserve University under head coach Dennis Harris for five years before returning to his alma mater. While at Case Franklin worked primarily with the jumpers and hurdlers. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Franklin is a 1997 graduate of Saint Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, Ohio. He was named an All-State quarterback and won the state title in the 110-meter hurdles as a senior with the Firebirds. Franklin graduated from Thiel in 2002 with a degree in art as well as an elementary education certification. He was a four-year member of the Tomcat football program where he was a four-time All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) selection as a defensive back, two-time team MVP and two-time All-American. He was a two-time PAC champion in the 110-meter high hurdles (1999, 2000) and was named the PAC's Most Outstanding Performer in 1999 when he won the 110-meter hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump. He was a four-time NCAA Division III national qualifier for the Indoor Championships in the 55-meter high hurdles. "Coach Morgan is a man of great character. His departure will be felt by athletes and non-athletes alike. Thiel College is a better place because he served here. We are thrilled to have Coach Franklin on board and his commitment and beliefs are very much alike to those instilled in our students by Coach Morgan. Coach Franklin has the motivation to build upon the foundation laid by Coach Morgan," said Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Roseanne Gill-Jacobson. Morgan, wrapping up his fifth season as the head coach of men's and women's track and field programs, led the Tomcats to the PAC Men's Championship and earned conference coach of the year honors in his first full season as the head coach in 2004. He is confident that the right person for the job is in place. "Rico and I have a great relationship and have been friends since 1997. He's like younger brother to me. We learn from each other, not just about track, but about life," said Morgan. "A very dedicated and loyal individual, Rico is going to bring great character, class, leadership and passion to the program." "It was very important to leave the program in capable hands because the team, the College, and the kids in the program are a part of who I am. I always preach family, academics, commitment, loyalty and passion, so I was very excited to here that Coach Franklin was going to assume the head coaching duties, "said Morgan. "My main concern is that my kids graduate and are taken care of, and that the program continues to go in the right direction. I feel very confident that it will be the commitment of the administration to continue to show support to the track and field program and athletics as a whole." Over the past four seasons Morgan has coached five NCAA Division III All-Americans, including one national champion and one runner-up. He has produced 96 conference champions, 156 All-PAC performers, and six PAC Most Valuable Athlete Award winners. Morgan also served as the college's director of minority affairs, coordinating and planning on-campus programs to promote diversity. A 2000 Thiel graduate, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Tomcat football team and worked as an assistant with the track and field program for three years prior to taking over head coaching duties. Morgan will begin his duties at Wabash on July 1.






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