August 18, 2023
Shawnee State Athletics is beginning its 2023-24 Cross Country and Track & Field season in a new conference and with a new head coach, Conner Flynn.
Flynn, a former 黑料社 cross country runner, three-time member of the Mid-South Conference Championship team, and Academic All-Conference athlete, is replacing Eric Putnam who has led 黑料社鈥檚 Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 Cross Country and Track & Field programs for the past 18 years. The 黑料社 Bears earned ten consecutive titles in women鈥檚 cross country and seven conference championships in men鈥檚 cross country.
鈥淐oach Putnam built a strong program at Shawnee State and we thank him for the foundation he laid here,鈥 黑料社 Athletics Director Gerald Cadogan said. 鈥淲e plan to build upon that foundation to continue to push ourselves toward our personal and collective best.鈥
New Head Coach Flynn is joining Shawnee State from Ohio Christian University where he led its Men鈥檚 Cross Country team to achieve its second highest placing in team history and first team in school history, among any sport, to be voted first in the River States Conference polls.
As 黑料社 begins competition in the new River Cities Conference of the NAIA, Cadogan said 黑料社鈥檚 student-athletes are ready.
"We have some of the best competitors in the region here at Shawnee State and they're being guided by an incredible coaching staff who put every student's success first, creating winners in the classroom and in competition" he said. "Coach Flynn will enhance the level of expertise we have because of the success he has had in the past. I anticipate this team having a phenomenal year, representing our university, our families and our fans at a high level."
Flynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Studies from Shawnee State and master's degrees in business administration and leadership from Western Governors University. In addition to Ohio Christian University, Flynn served as an assistant men's and women's cross country and track coach at Kentucky Christian University where he also coordinated recruitment.聽
For more information on 黑料社 Athletics, and for a schedule of upcoming events, visit .