Mark James Steps Down as the Seawolves' Cross Country Coach
ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – After spending six
seasons as the head coach of the Sonoma State women's cross country
team, Mark James has stepped down to focus on a new full-time
position as a Civilian Navy SEAL Instructor in San Diego, effective
immediately. With James' departure, assistant coach Sean
Fitzpatrick will take over as the interim head
coach.
“Mark accomplished several significant projects during
his six years as head coach," SSU senior director of
intercollegiate athletics Bill Fusco said.
"The establishment of the Seawolf Invitational, women's cross
country's only home event, was a major step for the program to
institute a home event for the sport, which is now an annual event
every September."
"He was also part of a tremendous effort when SSU hosted the
2011 CCAA Cross County Championships at Spring Lake Regional Park
in Santa Rosa," Fusco added.
"I have had a great time at SSU," James added. "Six
cross country seasons later, I feel blessed to have worked with
some great student-athletes, assistant coaches and department staff
members."
James took over the reigns of the Sonoma State cross country
team in 2007 as the program's second head coach since
1999.
Sean Fitzpatrick, who has served as an assistant coach for James in each of the past two seasons, will assume the position of interim head coach, effective immediately.
“Naming Sean as the interim head coach for women's
cross country was an easy decision," said Fusco. "Sean's
rapport with our student-athletes is excellent. He has the
experience and dedication to this program that will keep things
going in the right direction.”
Fitzpatrick is well-known in the local running community as
he has coached the Santa Rosa Express for the past 14 years and the
cross country teams at Santa Rosa High School for the past 11
years.
He also competed at the collegiate level, spending a couple
of seasons at both Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and at Santa Rosa
Junior College. Sean earned his bachelor's degree in
Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly SLO in 1996.
