Chicago State University announces the appointment of Maurice Wills as the inaugural head coach of the women's triathlon program. The addition of women's triathlon was announced last September and the team will begin competition starting in fall 2024.
Hailing from Silver Spring, Maryland, Wills brings a wealth of experience to his new role. As a competitive triathlete since 2000 and a former member of the North Carolina A&T State University track & field and cross-country teams, Wills embodies a lifelong dedication to athletics. He has accrued numerous accolades throughout his career, including multiple Ironman finishes and podium placements in various triathlon events.
Wills' coaching experience is equally impressive, having served in various leadership roles within the triathlon community. From co-founding M3 Aquatics NFP and Infinity Multisport, Inc to coaching at Tri-Masters Sports Initiative and Team Danskin Training, Wills has a proven track record of mentorship and athlete development. He holds certifications from USA Triathlon, ChiRunning, Total Immersion Swimming and more, underscoring his commitment to excellence in coaching. Willis holds a BS in Accounting from North Carolina A&T State University.
"We are thrilled to welcome Maurice Wills as the head coach of our women's triathlon program," said Dr. Monique Carroll, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "His extensive experience and dedication to athlete development make him the ideal leader for this new venture. We look forward to the opportunities this program will provide for our student-athletes under Maurice's guidance."
Women's triathlon is a burgeoning sport within collegiate athletics, with 42 NCAA schools sponsoring the program across all three NCAA divisions as of March 2023. Teams are allowed a maximum of 6.5 (Division I) or 5.0 (Division II) equivalency scholarships, with no lower limit. Races are draft-legal and cover the sprint distance, consisting of a 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run. Teams compete in at least four and at most six intercollegiate contests, with scoring modeled after the cross-country scoring system.
About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University sponsors 16 Division I intercollegiate athletic teams and competes in the Northeast Conference (effective July 2024) with the exception of men's and women's tennis who will compete in the Horizon League during the 2024-25 season. CSU's athletic program includes over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, triathlon and volleyball.
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