Akers unable to fill two open spots
Collin Whitchurch/Managing Editor
Geoff Masanet talks to the cross country team in fall 2008 next to Campus Pond. Masanet is leaving Eastern in order to be closer to his fiancé in Texas.(Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News File Photo)
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Geoff Masanet, Eastern's cross country head coach, has left the program after five years, citing a desire to join his fiancé in Austin, Texas.
Masanet - whose last day with the program was Jan. 6 - leaves the Eastern track and field program with two openings as jumps coach JaRod Tobler left last week as he prepares to make the United States Olympic Track and Field team.
"I got engaged this past summer and my fiancé moved to Austin, Texas, to pursue her Ph.D at the University of Texas," Masanet said via e-mail Tuesday.
"She will be at UT for another three and a half years. We felt we could manage the long-distance for the short term but in the long term, it wasn't going to be feasible for me to remain in Illinois."
While Masanet was in charge of the cross country teams, which compete in the fall, he was also responsible for the distance runners during the track and field season.
With Masanet and Tobler leaving, Tom Akers, director of track and field, is left with two openings on his coaching staff he will be unable to fill.
"The hiring freeze is in place, so it looks like we're going to have to make it through the rest of this season without replacing either one," Akers said.
While the team has a shortage on its coaching staff, Akers said he has been fortusteepleweb to have two former members of the team step in to help out.
Brenton Emanuel, a former sprinter, and Brad Butler, a former long distance runner, have both been working within the athletic department this year and have stepped in to help Akers.
"We have these two guys help step in and provide a little leadership," Akers said. "They're my eyes and ears during practice. We're lucky to have these quality individuals to help us out."
Emanuel and Butler are both graduate assistants in the athletic department. Emanuel, who has been working in the compliance office, will focus on helping the sprinters, while Butler will help with the distance runners. Akers will help coach the jumps area because of Tobler's absence.
Meanwhile, Masanet said he accepted a position at Texas State-San Marcos as an academic adviser. And while he said there is never a good time to make a switch like this, the move was not professionally motivated.
"Ultimately the move was not about the job, though, it was about being with my fiancé," he said.
"I don't think you are meant to spend your life thousands of miles apart unless there is no other alternative.
"My runners were very understanding and I appreciated the way they took the news. I honestly can't say enough about their support of my decision. I love EIU and will forever be a proud alum and former coach. I think the program will not only continue to flourish, but will take another step forward with the new coach."
Sports Editor Bob Bajek contributed to this report.
Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.
