Ripon College has announced Bob Wood as its new Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, effective July 5.

In this position, Wood will be responsible for developing practice sessions and contests, mentoring and monitoring academic progress of student-athletes, and recruiting prospective student-athletes. He will also be responsible for planning and conducting summer camps and clinics, while ensuring competitive performance of the Red Hawks Cross Country and Track & Field programs and growth and development of student-athletes. Ripon is in the final stages of a $22 million expansion of athletic facilities, including a 65,000 square foot field house that is designed to be the best Division-III indoor track & field facility in the upper Midwest.

Wood, who spent the last year serving as Ripon's Associate Coach for both the Red Hawks Cross Country and Track & Field programs, is a 2009 graduate of Ripon College, where he competed in both football and track & field. He was twice selected team captain for the Track team, while also earning All-Conference honors three times.

Prior to last year, Wood spent seven years with Whitefish Bay High School's Tack & Field program. He served as the team's Head Coach from 2015-16, winning their first conference title in 34 years in 2016 and coaching a total of 58 conference champions. He also served as Ripon's Track & Field intern during his senior season, assisting the Head Coach with recruiting duties, while also serving as the liaison to the Midwest Conference and assisting with home meet management, team entries, and practice planning.

Wood currently has USATF Level One and USTFCCCA Technical certifications, along with a Masters Degree in Sports Management from Cardinal Stritch University. Wood still holds Ripon's school record for the Indoor 55 Meter Hurdles (7.87), which he set as a senior in 2009.

Wood and his wife Jessica '10, who was a four-time All-Conference performer for Ripon's cross country team, currently reside in Ripon with their two-year-old daughter, Ellie.