MANCHESTER, N.H. – Following an extensive search, Peter Earlywas selected as the first Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Saint Anselm College on Friday.
An experienced coach at the NCAA Division II level, Early comes to Saint Anselm from fellow Northeast-10 Conference member Assumption University where he was the Head Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track & Field Coach. With the Greyhounds since May 2021, Early helped the men's cross country team secure its best finish at the NE10 Championship, hosted by Saint Anselm this past Fall.
Prior to his stint at Assumption, Early was the Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Coker University for three seasons. He previously played a pivotal role in the formation of the men's and women's track & field programs at Merrimack College. He joined the Warriors as a coach shortly after the formation of their NCAA Division II teams in 2010-11, departing for Coker in 2018.
"I could not be more excited for the opportunity to be the first Director of Track & Field and Cross Country here at Saint Anselm," said Early. "I would like to thank President [Joseph] Favazza, Director of Athletics Daron Montgomery, and everyone else involved with making this dream a reality. I am also eager to begin working alongside Coach Brian Stankiewicz as we plan for the future."
Early joins the College just weeks after the announcement of four new varsity sports, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field. Plans were also revealed at that time for a brand-new sports complex that features an eight-lane track, synthetic turf field, spectator seating and an amenities building.
"We were impressed with Peter's credentials, particularly his experience in recruiting to and developing brand-new programs at Merrimack," said Montgomery. "His Division II experience, as well as his familiarity with the Northeast-10 Conference, make him an ideal candidate to get our track & field programs at Saint Anselm off the ground."
Across a coaching career that spans over a decade, Early has mentored over 50 All-Region award recipients, had 40 student-athletes earn qualifying marks in NCAA Division II, and developed 23 All-Americans. 20 of his student-athletes captured league championships and he also coached Carly Muscaro, a six-time National Champion at Merrimack in the 200m/400m.
Early received the United States Track Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association's National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2016-17. Also picking up East Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors, Early was honored for his work with the first two individual competitors from Merrimack to qualify for Nationals.
A 2011 graduate of Merrimack with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Early was a member of both the football and track & field programs with the Warriors, earning All-Academic Team placement. As a student-athlete, Early secured All-New England plaudits in the 4x100 meter relay and captained the first men's track & field team at Merrimack.
Early received a master's degree in College Athletic Administration in 2020 from Coker. He resides in Haverhill, Mass. with his wife, Andrea, and two children, Peter and Madelynn.