DUDLEY, Mass. (12/18/2025) – The Nichols College Division of Athletics has hired Luke Elson as the new Head Coach of the Bison Cross Country and Track & Field programs, Interim Athletic Director Kristan Mallet announced Friday.
"We are proud to welcome Luke as our new head coach of men's and women's cross country and track & field," said Mallet. "He brings a deep commitment to student-athlete development, a clear vision for building strong, competitive rosters, and programs rooted in excellence, integrity, and teamwork. We are confident his leadership will elevate our programs both competitively and academically, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes and the broader campus community."
Elson lands on The Hill having served a portion of this past year as an Assistant Track & Field/Cross Country Coach with St. Mary's College of Maryland, where he was instrumental in assisting the Head Coach in all aspects of both men's and women's Cross Country and Track & Field programs, with a specialization in the program's sprinter corps. Elson also played a role in developing and implementing the team's daily practice plans, coordinating and conducting academic meetings with the student athletes, and spearheading the program's recruiting operations.
Before his arrival at St. Mary's, Elson spent one season (2024-25) at Chariho Regional High School, his alma mater, in Wood River Junction, Rhode Island as the Head Track & Field Coach, and Assistant Cross Country Coach. Alongside a number of similar roles served at the collegiate level, Elson also implemented a logistics and data driven system in evaluating athlete readiness for competition, in turn adjusting and designing training regimens to benefit the individual athlete needs.
Elson also brings a well-rounded competitive background as a four-year student athlete at Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts. With the Saints, he competed in a wide range of events across his multiple seasons, posting personal bests across sprints, middle-distance races, hurdles, and throws, including the 400 meters, 800 meters, 400-meter hurdles, hammer throw, and weight throw. He was recognized with Team MVP honors following the 2021–22 indoor season, as well as Co-Most Valuable Performer recognition during their sophomore year. Academically, Elson was also named a recipient Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Academic All-Conference honors in multiple seasons.
"I am fired up to be joining the Bison Cross Country and Track & Field programs," said Elson. "We have a strong group of athletes who are hungry to be at the top of the conference and I am ready to chase those goals with them! I can't wait to join the team on "The Hill" and build something truly special!"
