The 2016 campaign marks Steve Powenski’s sixth as the head coach of the Chicago State men’s and women’s cross country teams. Powenski began coaching at CSU as an assistant men’s cross country/track and field coach in the fall of 1998.

Since CSU began its NCAA Division I membership, every current men’s middle and long distance record in cross country, indoor and outdoor track is held by a student-athlete trained by Powenski. He guided four runners to compete in the NCAA Midwest Regional and has had several student-athletes capture Academic All-Western Athletic Conference honors since 2013.

The 2013-14 year saw new records at 1,000 meters and 3,000 meters for men’s indoor track and at 1,500 meters for men’s outdoor track. Oslyn Melissa Collins became the new women’s three-mile record holder in cross country. Powenski has had two of his student-athletes receive honors as being Men’s Athlete of the Year for CSU (David Comiskey and Matthew Jordan).

Powenski began his collegiate career at North Park University before transferring to Chicago State in 1974, competing in the NCAA National Championships in 1972 (Collegiate Division) and 1973 (Division III). In 1972, he also competed in the AAU National Championships.  As a Cougar, Powenski advanced as an individual and competed in the 1975 NAIA National Championships.

He graduated from CSU in 1978 B.A. in Geography-Urban and Regional Planning. Upon graduation, Powenski pursued a professional career in banking and finance, began training again and competed in the Corporate Club Circuit during his years at Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust as well as road racing at distances from 5,000 meters through marathons.