Halycon Blake accepts position as coach of cross country programs

WSSU track and field has made an anchor change right before getting out of the starting blocks.

After dismissing interim head coach Benny Morgan, WSSU athletics announced the hiring of Halycon M. Blake as head coach of its men's and women's cross-country/track and field programs.

Blake brings a wealth of experience to the sport of track and field. She attended the University of Kansas in the early 1980s and was an All-American in both the 4x400m relay and the long jump. Her past coaching experience includes a coaching stint at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and was most recently head coach of both the men's and women's cross-country/track and field programs. She is also a three-time Olympian.

Blake has big aspirations for the future of the program, both academically and athletically. "My goal is to graduate (students) and to win a national title," she said.

The university reinstated the track and field program last year, after a five-year layoff. WSSU Director of Athletics Percy Caldwell said he believes that Blake is the right people to jump-start the program.

"She is supremely qualified and will bring a wealth of coaching and recruiting ability to a program that is beginning its redevelopment stages," said Caldwell.

Blake said she believes strongly in the student-athlete, with student as the emphasis.

"We want a well-rounded group. We are nurturing great students as well as great athletes. If we can get a good group of people, then we can accomplish something," she said.