Men's Outdoor Track & Field | 8/5/2016 12:44:00 PM

GREENVILLE, Pa. – Thiel College Director of Athletics Amy Schafer announced Friday the hiring of alumnus Will Mills '08 as head cross country and track & field coach.
 
Mills coached outdoor track & field at West Allegheny High School the past eight years. He began coaching at West Allegheny in March 2009, concentrating on sprint, hurdle, relay and jump events. West Allegheny's boys and girls teams combined to win six section titles during Mills' tenure. The Indians won four individual outdoor state medals and under Mills while three relay teams qualified for the outdoor state championships.
 
"Will Mills was highly recommended, and I am excited to welcome him back to Thiel College," Schafer said. "As a former Tomcat, he has the knowledge, background and skills necessary to lead our cross country and track & field programs."
 
In 2011, Mills took over as head coach of West Allegheny High School's indoor track & field program. Eight individuals and two relay teams qualified for the indoor state championships under Mills' tutelage, and four student-athletes reached the medal stand.
 
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Amy Schafer for giving me this opportunity," Mills said. "I'm excited to be back, it has been a dream of mine ever since I graduated from here. I have come full circle to come back to the place where I did so well as a student-athlete."
 
Mills was a four-year captain for Thiel's track & field team and won nine Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) titles. Along with his teammates, Mills still holds school indoor records in the 4x160-meter (2006, 1:13.30) and 4x200-meter (2007, 1:31.75) relays.
 
Mills earned a bachelor's degree in history from Thiel College in 2008. He went on to secure a master's degree in secondary education from Slippery Rock University in 2011. Mills served as a U.S. government and modern world studies teacher at Hill House Passport Academy Charter School in Pittsburgh the last two years. He holds Level 1 certification through the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
 
Thiel College has begun the construction of a state-of-the-art track & field facility, and Mills is excited to lead the Tomcats into the future.
 
"I want to shake things up a bit," said Mills. "I want to blend the old with the new, bring back some old traditions and start some new traditions."