OLLU athletics department has announced the hiring of Younne A. Reid as head coach for men’s and women’s cross-country and track and field. Reid comes to OLLU after 14 years at Southern University in New Orleans (SUNO).

Athletic Director Shane Hurley commented, “We are extremely excited to bring in another quality coach to our athletic department staff. Younne Reid has demonstrated himself as a genuine servant leader who has led and will lead his teams to success at the conference and national level while exhibiting and teaching OLLU’s core values of community, integrity, trust and service.”

He will join the staff toward the end of June.

Reid was the track and field assistant coach for 10 years and head coach for six years at SUNO. The university suspended its athletics programs after the 2019-2020 season. He also was an assistant coach of the highly competitive Racers Track Club in Jamaica. He has a successful track record for graduating student-athletes (97 percent), managing athletic programs, recruiting and developing talent on collegiate and professional levels.

Reid earned degrees in Physical Education and Sports and Foods and Nutrition from GC Foster College in Spanish Town, Jamaica. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from SUNO. He has a Certificate of Academic Excellence in the College of Business and Public Administration from SUNO. Reid is also certified Level I and II from USA Track and Field (USATF).

In addition to his coaching experience, Reid was the Director of Intramural Sports and Athletic Director at SUNO.

His achievements include capturing the NAIA National Track and Field Outdoor Championship in 2018, and placing second in 2019 and third in 2016. In 2018, his team placed second in the NAIA National Track and Field Indoor Championship. In 2016, his team won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, and in 2008, he won the International Track and Field Championships in Jamaica.

Reid’s teams have also won several academic awards, including the NAIA Scholar Team award for both men and women.

“I am happy and excited to join the Our Lady of the Lake University family and the athletic department,” Reid said. “I am looking forward to continuing the growth and progress of the teams. My goal is to bring home a national championship. With hard work, I am sure success is possible.”

Reid takes over as head coach after the departure of Stephen Sherman, who had been the only track and field/cross-country team coach. Under Sherman, the teams won 11 conference championships, made 10 trips to the NAIA National Championships, earned six NAIA Scholar Team awards, recorded 167 All-Conference selections, won 11 conference coaches of the year awards and marked 66 conference scholar-athletes.

The Saints men’s and women’s cross-country teams will begin their 12th season in the fall, while the men’s and women’s track and field teams will kick off their sixth season in the spring.