NEW ROCHELLE, NY- Hall of Fame cross country and track and field head coach
Mick Byrne announced his resignation today to become the head men’s cross country coach and assistant track and field coach at the University of Wisconsin.
"I've spent almost a quarter of a century at Iona College and it has been much more than just a workplace for me," said Byrne. "In many ways, Iona College has been a part of my family. It has been a tremendous honor to work with so many talented and dedicated people in developing one of the finest cross country programs in the country."
"Obviously, this was a difficult decision for me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank all my athletes, both past and present. I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead as I write the next chapter of my coaching career," he added.
"It is with great admiration and respect that I wish Mick only the best of luck as he moves on from Iona," said Director of Athletics Patrick Lyons. "Mick is not only a tremendous coach but an even better friend and he will truly be missed by the Iona College community."
Arguably the top head coach in Iona College history, Byrne was inducted into the Goal Club Hall of Fame this summer for his outstanding achievements in cross country and track and field.
Byrne coached the men's and women's programs at Iona for the past 24 years and had unprecedented success during his tenure in New Rochelle. His men's squad earned 17 consecutive MAAC championships - currently the third longest streak in the country.
Byrne is a six-time Northeast region coach of the year as the Gaels captured five of the last six regional titles. He led Iona to seven top 10 finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championship. In four of the last five years the Gaels reached the championship podium as a top four finisher at the event. This past fall, the Maroon & Gold finished second at the national championship, the highest finish of any Iona or MAAC program in history.
In 2006, Byrne directed the women’s program to its first-ever NCAA Cross Country Championship as a result of its second place finish at the Northeast Regional. The women also captured the MAAC Cross Country Championship in each of the last three years.
In total, Byrne mentored 27 NCAA All-Americans, 29 IC4A Champions, 114 All-East selections, and 24 individual MAAC Cross Country Champions at Iona College.