SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. -- Rob Gallinger is returning home as the former Lake Superior State University men's track and field student-athlete has been named the interim head coach of the LSSU women's and men's cross country and track & field teams as announced by interim athletics director Jennifer Constantino.
Gallinger, who began his current duties in early August 2017, was a member of the LSSU men's track and field team from 2011-15 and served as a team captain for his 2015 senior season.
"I'm excited for this season as it's a homecoming of sorts for me," said Gallinger. "I've been given the opportunity to come back to LSSU and coach the team I spent four years competing for. I want to thank the LSSU Athletics Department and Jen Constantino for allowing me to step into this role with their full support and all of the encouragement I've been given so far.
"After meeting the cross country team, I knew I've made the right decision because it's such a great group of hardworking, dedicated athletes that I can't wait to see compete. Personally, I want to use this opportunity to grow and challenge myself everyday to do better than the day before. Professionally, I don't see this as a job but as something I love doing and would love continue doing as long as possible," added Gallinger.
Prior to his arrival at LSSU, Gallinger was an assistant track and field coach at White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where he primarily worked with jumpers for the 2017 season. In 2011, Gallinger was hired at his prep alma mater Central Algoma Secondary School in Desbarats, Ontario. At CASS, he held an assistant coaching position from 2011-14 before spending 2015-16 in North Bay, Ontario, at Widdifield Secondary School as an assistant coach.
A native of Brockville, Ontario, Gallinger is a 2015 Lake Superior State graduate with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in english literature and creative writing. While at LSSU, he was recognized as a 2014-15 recipient of the Lake Superior Student Leadership Award for having completed at least two years in an executive position within a Student Assembly organization or having been a resident advisor/community advisor and having maintained academic excellence (3.2 GPA or greater). Gallinger also earned a Bachelor's of Education degree in 2017 from Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario.
Gallinger graduated in 2011 from Central Algoma Secondary School where he competed in cross country (2006-11), track & field (2016-11), basketball (2006-11), and volleyball (2006-10). He was a member of the school's Student Athletic Council from 2007-11.
For the latest information pertaining to the LSSU men's and women's cross country and track & field programs, follow @LSSU-Cross on Twitter.