COLORADO SPRINGS – University of Colorado Colorado Springs Head Track & Field Coach Ross Fellows announced Dillon Schrodt as the Mountain Lions first full-time assistant coach, and the addition of Joel Fraser to the coaching staff as the pole vaults coach.
 
Fellows, who was named as the sole head coach of the UCCS track & field programs after co-head coach Brandon Masters resigned last month, reorganized the coaching staff and created a full-time assistant coach position.  After a nation-wide search, Schrodt was selected to fulfill the position.
 
"Dillon and Joel bring an incredible passion for the student-athlete experience, a keen understanding of how to coach track and field at the highest level, and the ability to create a family atmosphere," said Fellows. "Their experiences at two high quality schools as well as RMAC experience were incredibly appealing. They both have personal athletic success as well as experience working indoor meets, camps and clinics.  Our staff is going to create a brand of track where student-athletes compete for their team and have a family atmosphere.  We all have the goal of being a national contender and RMAC powerhouse."
 
No stranger to the program, Schrodt has served as an assistant coach for the past two seasons, coaching student-athletes in the technical skills of hurdles, high jump and javelin.  Concurrently, he has had held the role as a middle school math teacher in Colorado Springs.
 
A member of the USA Bobsled team in 2016-17, Schrodt represented the United States on an international racing circuit. His primary role was pushing the sled to gain maximum velocity before the first curve on the ice track.
 
Schrodt graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in Dec. 2014 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.  He served as a graduate assistant coach for the Lopers while earning his Master of Arts degree, also in Education. A 4.0 graduate student, Schrodt received his post-graduate degree in July 2016.
 
At UNK, Schrodt earned Academic All-American honors five times and All-American honors seven times.  A UNK Student-Athlete of the Year, he holds three school records.  At the 2016 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships, he placed seventh overall in the heptathlon.
 
Among his coaching responsibilities, Schrodt's role will increase in recruiting, assisting with home meets at the brand-new Mountain Lion Fieldhouse, and monitoring academic success.
 
"I am beyond excited to continue working at a great university and coach a phenomenal track and field team," said Schrodt.  "I am grateful for Athletic Director Nate Gibson and Head Coach Ross Fellows for giving me this opportunity and believing in me as the right person to fill the coaching void. I look forward to continuing our program's momentum and success that has been built through hard work and dedication these first two seasons. I'll strive to develop the athletes into good students and respectable young-adults. UCCS is truly a special place to be."
 
An all-conference performer for the Mountain Lions from 2009-2012, Fraser also competed at Grand Canyon University where he earned All-Pac West and Western Athletic Conference accolades. 
 
The founder and coach of Airborne Vault Club, Fraser was a Sky Athletics pole vault coach for six years.
 
A graduate from GCU with a degree in Sports Management, Fraser is a NSCA certified personal trainer. 
 
"I am grateful to be welcomed back to the UCCS family!" said Fraser. "It is an honor to be selected as the pole vault coach and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. I know the faculty, facilities, and support on campus will help create an RMAC powerhouse. I want to thank Nathan Gibson and Ross Fellows for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing program!"
 
Schrodt and Fraser will begin their new roles with the track & field programs on Sept. 10.