GOSHEN, Ind. - Director of Athletics Dr. Erica Albertin announced on Wednesday, August 10, that Sean Foulkes will be the head track and field coach at Goshen College. He is currently the head track and field and cross country coach at Rochester University, an NAIA school in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He starts the new role on August 22, and Rustin Nyce will remain the head cross country coach for the Maple Leafs.

"Coach Foulkes rose to the top among many qualified candidates for this position," said Albertin. "He is a competitor who deeply cares about his student-athletes, and I am excited for him to build up our track and field programs."

"I'm really excited to get on campus and meet the team and show our support for Goshen College as a whole," said Foulkes. "Having met most of the coaching staff already, I'm excited to start working with them on how we want to build this program in a way that continues to carry the same level of excellence as it has in the past."

At Rochester University, Foulkes served as the assistant cross country and track and field coaches for the 2019-20 seasons before being promoted to the head coach positions for each sport. In addition to these roles, Foulkes was also the Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations/Marketing at Rochester beginning in 2021.

While with the Warriors, Foulkes guided the teams to break more than 30 school records while building the rosters to their largest numbers in school history, and coaching the program's first national qualifier. Before joining the college ranks, Foulkes was an assistant coach at Portage Northern High School in Portage, Michigan, for seven years. He coached the club team that qualified eight individuals to nationals and helped with the design and building of a brand new track facility.

He was also an assistant coach at Lawton High School in Lawton, Michigan, for two years. The Blue Devils won three conference championships and two regional titles during his time there. Foulkes oversaw the sprints, jumps and throws at his alma mater Athens High School in Athens, Michigan as the assistant head coach from 2007-08 and again in 2011. As a high school student-athlete, he was all-region four times and all-state once before competing for a year at Ferris State University.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, with a degree in student integration curriculum, Foulkes brings an enthusiastic, personable nature to the Maple Leafs and his significant experience in recruiting student-athletes and developing student-athletes to be recruited. 

"Goshen has everything needed to be a powerhouse in our sport from the student-athletes, staff, facilities and support from the school," Foulkes said. "It is the perfect recipe for growth and success."

Coach Nyce oversaw the track and field teams for the last seven seasons but will now be able to devote more attention to his roles as head cross country coach and associate athletic director. "Sean has a passion for track and field, which was quickly evident," said Nyce. "I am excited to see him build our track programs."

"Coach Foulkes will invest in our team and community," Albertin said. "He will help us reach new levels of success both in the classroom and the competition."

Foulkes and his spouse Ashley have a son, Levi, and their cat named Chloe. 

Goshen College is a renowned college in Northern Indiana with award-winning programs that educate the head and heart, creating global citizens who lead with courage and compassion. The Maple Leafs compete in 14 varsity sports in the NAIA's highly competitive Crossroads League and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, continuing a tradition of intercollegiate athletics that dates to 1956 and included women's competition nearly a decade before Title IX. For more information on GC athletics, visit GoLeafs.net and follow the Maple Leafs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @GCMapleLeafs.

What They're Saying About Sean Foulkes:

Brian Woodbury, assistant track and field coach, University of Maine
"Coach Foulkes is deeply talented and committed to the sport of track and field. He has an innate ability to communicate and bring people together through his genuine kindness and compassion for others. He has a history of getting the best out of his student-athletes on and off the track, and I can't wait to see his impact on the Goshen College community."

Andy Wright, head track and field coach, Cornerstone University
"With Coach Foulkes, you get a coach that truly cares about the whole student-athlete. He will push you to be the best student-athlete you can be but also make sure you are growing to be the best person. I'm really excited to see what Sean can do at Goshen!"

Ahren Kaylor, former head track and field coach, Portage Northern High School
"Coach Foulkes brings a wealth of knowledge and an unmatched passion to the sport of track and field. His enthusiasm is extremely contagious and breeds success both in the classroom and in the stadium. His coaching legacy at Portage Northern High School continues to thrive years after he moved on to the college level. I'm excited for the student-athletes and the entire athletics program at Goshen College!"