Granville, Ohio- Dara Ford, director of track and field and cross country at Otterbein since 2014, has been selected as Denison's new Director of Track and Field and Cross Country.
"It's an exciting day for Big Red Track and Field and Cross Country," said Denison's associate V.P., director of athletics Matt Tanney. He added, "Dara is an experienced coach with a proven record of developing individual student-athletes and building championship teams."
In her 12 years at the helm of Otterbein University's track and field and cross country teams, Ford has earned a total of eight women's and men's cross country OAC Championships. At Otterbein, she led the women's team to four titles, the men's team to three, and her eighth OAC cross country title was won while coaching the JCU women's cross country team.
She has tallied two women's indoor track and field OAC championships, eight OAC Coach of the Year awards, and four Ohio Coach of the Year awards. Throughout her career, Ford has coached 51 All-Americans and 106 NCAA qualifiers.
Tanney continues to share that, "Dara brings a contagious enthusiasm for the sport, and coupled with her ambition and understanding of the recruiting landscape, will lead the program to new heights."
Prior to her time at Otterbein, Ford gained significant experience at a fellow North Coast Athletic Conference institution, John Carroll University, where she spent six years. Between her time as a Blue Streak and Cardinal, she coached 188 OAC Champions.
While at John Carroll, Ford played a crucial role in growing the women's cross country team. Starting with six members in 2007, the team expanded to 25 members by 2013 and became OAC Champions that year.
"It's clear that Denison is a really special place that highly values their student athletes and their experience, states Ford. "The clear standard of excellence and overall success of the athletic teams at Denison is inspiring."
Ford, a native of Canton, Ohio, earned her bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in adolescent-to-young adult education in 2005 from the University of Mount Union, where she was a three-time Academic All-American. She was a five-time national qualifier in cross country and 3000-meter steeplechase, and still holds Mount Union records in the indoor 3000-meter run, steeplechase, and outdoor 5000-meter run.
This fall, she was recognized for her accomplishments as Otterbein's Director of Cross Country and Track and Field, earning her Mount Union's Duke Barret Award of Excellence. The award honors a member of the M Club for career experiences or activities that have brought honor and recognition to the individual and, in turn, Mount Union.
Concluding her thoughts on the appointment, Ford said, "I'm honored and excited to be the next director to lead the program to success, not just on the conference level, but also on the national stage."
