BOSTON, Mass. – Eric Ashe has been named Head Cross Country Coach at Simmons College, it was announced today by Director of Athletics, Ali Kantor.
Ashe comes to the Fenway area with excellent experience as both a coach and a competitor. The Hanson, Mass. native has served as a coach over the past three years as an assistant at both University of Massachusetts Boston and with his alma mater, Boston University, working with both the cross country and track & field squads.
While at BU, Ashe was a part of the staff that guided the Terriers to their first-ever Patriot League titles in women's cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field during the 2013-14 campaign. He has also helped guide 3 different individuals to All-American status.
Prior to his budding coaching career, Ashe enjoyed an outstanding career at BU as a cross country and track competitor from 2006-11, where he was a two-time Captain and four-time team Most Valuable Performer. He won the America East Conference 3,000-meter steeplechase crown in 2008 and led the cross country team to a team title in 2010 with a 2nd place individual finish. An All-Conference honoree, Ashe helped the 4x800 meter relay team to multiple America East championships, while also posting a number of top-five individual finishes in cross country and track.
He continues to compete post-collegiately as a member of the Boston Athletic Association. In 2014, Ashe completed the Houston Half Marathon in 65:01 and the Boston Marathon in 2:21:41. He also holds personal bests of 4:03 for the mile and 8:40 for the 3000m steeplechase. He has also spent the last 10 years as a Counselor at Foss Running Camp in Stafford, N.H.
Ashe earned a bachelor of arts degree in International Relations in 2010 as well as a master's degree in Criminal Justice in 2012 from BU. In addition, he holds a USA Track & Field Level One certification.