In 2002 Dr. Daniel Kuebler became the first head coach of Franciscan University's men's and women's cross country program. An assistant professor of biology, Dr. Kuebler has been with the University since 2001.

Dr. Kuebler has over 10 years of coaching experience, beginning in 1995 when he served as assistant coach before moving up to head coach of cross country and track at St. Mary's High School in Berkeley, California. In 2000, Dr. Kuebler moved to Hyattsville, Maryland, where he coached track at DeMatha High School before accepting his current position at Franciscan University.

Over the past three years, Dr. Kuebler has seen Franciscan's cross country program dramatically expand and become increasingly competitive. Dr. Kuebler received a bachelor's degree in English in 1993 and a master's in biology in 1995 from the Catholic University of America. He went on to receive his doctorate in molecular and cell biology in 1999 from the University of California at Berkeley.

Dr. Kuebler competed in cross country and track at the Catholic University of America. In 1994, he finished fifth in the nation in the 800 meters at the Division III indoor track and field championships, garnering NCAA All-American honors. He was also a GTE Academic All-American in both cross country and track and field during the 1993-1994 season.

Dr. Kuebler and his wife, Nellie, reside in nearby Wintersville, Ohio, with their three children, Joseph, Patrick, and Carolyn.

Read Dr. Keubler's article in the National Catholic Register: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/gut-check-time-for-catholic-coaches/

Don Bennette began serving as and assistant coach of cross country in 2008 and then as assistant coach for track and field in 2009.

Bennette assists the distance team and its staff and serves as an assistant to the Head Coach. He has also served the University as a Custodial Coordinator in Physical Plant Services, since 2000.

Bennette ran Cross Country and Track in High School, but his real passion for running was the Marathon (2 hours 45 minutes at age 19). He was recruited to run for the U.S. Naval Academy and is an All-Time Navy Men’s Cross Country letter winner; one of three freshman who earned a letter in the first year NCAA allowed freshman to compete in Varsity Sports, in 1971. Bennette started sharing his gift of running as a coach even while at the Naval Academy, and has been a coach with the Steubenville Striders Track and Field team and the Steubenville Heart of Mary Home School baseball program.

Don and his wife, Terri, live in Steubenville and have been blessed with eleven children and fourteen grandchildren.

Assistant Coach Pia Crosby came to Franciscan in 1990, when her husband John Crosby accepted the invitation to join the philosophy department. For the next 12 years she devoted herself to homeschooling her family of 6 children. For almost 20 years she has been the advisor of Little Flowers Household.

 Running has always been part of Coach Crosby’s life, but serious distance running began in earnest only when her daughter Jane started her first cross country season as a freshman in high school. From then on the daily 5K became the norm. Soon longer runs began to evolve, and in June 2008 Coach Crosby ran her first 5K race and was shocked when she won the race with a 20:44.

But the elation was short lived. A month later, Coach Crosby was hit by a van on her daily run in her neighborhood.  Life lighted to Allegheny Hospital she was in the ICU with multiple fractures and internal injuries for many days.

 But God had other plans. After a year of rehab, Coach Crosby was able to return to running, with only minor limitations. In March and August 2011, Coach Crosby was able to return to racing 2 more 5Ks, winning the most recent one.

When head coach Dan Kuebler approached her in 2011 and asked her if she would be willing to assist with the cross country team, she felt that this was the next step in God’s plan.

Coach Crosby, her husband John and their youngest son Michael reside in Steubenville. Three of their six children are alumni of Franciscan, and one is presently a junior in Gaming, Austria.

Shaun McKeegan is in his third year as assistant coach of Cross Country and Track.

McKeegan ran cross country all four years in high school. He attended Franciscan University and was a member of the men’s soccer team and coached women’s club soccer as a student. After graduating, McKeegan ran in several marathons and triathlons. In 2003, he was a member of an elite run team in the U.S. Army.

In 2004 and 2005, McKeegan coached a local high school boys’ soccer team. In 2006, he placed first for his age group in the Hocking Hills 40K.

Shaun and his wife Maura live in Steubenville, OH with their two young children, Grace and Finn.