Bobby Wilson has been hired as the head coach of Oswego State’s cross country and track and field programs, filling in the vacant position over the summer.

Wilson, a Newport News, Va. native, was previously an assistant coach at the college of William and Mary from January 2005 to August 2007 and for Bucknell University from August 2007 to July 2010. At William and Mary he worked with the sprinters, hurdlers, pole-vaulters and multi-eventors.

Wilson helped lead the Division I William and Mary women’s indoor and outdoor track team to the Patriot’s League championship four times. He also led the men’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track team to their first Patriot League championship in 19 years.

Wilson left Bucknell University because he wanted to be a head coach and he saw that there are "upsides to this team" and that "the team would be a factor in the SUNYAC." In the short term, Wilson hopes to double the size of both the men’s and women’s programs. He also plans to be better in the upcoming season, improve graduation rates, improve the team’s overall GPA, increase diversity and to be a "complete" team (have an athlete for every position).

Wilson hopes that in the long term, the team will win the SUNYAC championship in both the men’s and women’s programs, and to make an impact at the regional and national level.

Last weekend, the cross country team competed in the Early Bird Invitational in Oneonta, where the men’s team placed first and the women’s team placed second. The season officially starts in October and the first meet is Dec. 4 for track and field. When asked about his plans for this season, Wilson said that team will arrive earlier than usual in January and they will go on a spring break trip.