Bloomfield promoted to head coach for Concordia track and field and cross country

Keegan Bloomfield will be the new head coach of both the CUI men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams. (Photo courtesy Samuel Bautista)

The Concordia University Irvine athletics department has announced the promotion of Keegan Bloomfield to head coach of both the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.

Bloomfield had served as CUI’s interim head coach for the majority of this season after former head coach Danny Bowman was given an opportunity to move back home for a similar position at his alma mater in Idaho. Prior to that, Bloomfield served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Eagles on Bowman’s staff.

“It’s a dream come true and I’m so thankful for my time as an assistant coach and interim head coach,” said Bloomfield.

“It has strengthened my belief that CUI is where I want to serve. As the recruiting coordinator, I was able to build relationships with each and every athlete in our program.  These previous relationships across our team have allowed for a strong transition. I’ve believed in this program for a long time and it’s an honor to lead and serve as head coach.”

“Keegan is very conscientious and detail-oriented,” said CUI Athletic Director Mo Roberson.  “He is a very humble individual who lives his faith in all that he does. He has been a great addition to us maintaining our Lutheran identity. We are blessed to have him as our new head coach for cross country and track and field.”

Under Bloomfield’s leadership, the CUI women’s indoor track and field team has risen up to No. 32 in the nation among NCAA DII schools and senior Sarah Herron has blossomed under the spotlight.  Herron recently qualified for the NCAA DII Nationals for the second straight season after posting the second best long jump in the entire country among NCAA DII athletes.

“This program has unlimited potential and can be a successful program for many years to come,” said Bloomfield.  “The fact that we can focus on our faith in Christ, becoming strong students and life-long learners, and be champions on the track, field, and course excites me about CUI.”

The Eagles have been cranking out new school records this year. The quartet of Hector Arteaga, Wilson McLean, Angel Aguirre and Miguel Ayala recently combined to break the distance medley record which stood for 20 years.

“Thank you to the many people at CUI that believe in me and have given me this opportunity,” said Bloomfield.  “Thank you to Dr. Gary McDaniel and President Krueger for allowing me to continue on at CUI and lead this program. Thank you to Mo Roberson as well for the support and allowing me to serve the student-athletes at Concordia University Irvine as the head coach of the track and field/cross country programs.”

Bloomfield credits many people in his life for his strong faith and also his passion for coaching.

“First and foremost, my wife, Anna,” said Bloomfield.  “She’s been a head coach and was the first one to coach in our family.  She’s taught me so much about what it means to serve. The second is my dad, Greg Bloomfield, who coached me from a young age and taught me about the sport of track and field.  In addition to those two my college coach, Kregg Einspahr, taught me how to have high standards and build a true team. My high school coaches, Steve Callaghan, and Darren Harsin were huge inspirations for me as a young athlete and also taught me what it looked like to lead well.

“Lastly, Coach Danny Bowman gave me my first opportunity in coaching and I am forever thankful to him for that.  He taught me how to bring ministry and family together,” added Bloomfield. “I’m thankful to each and every one of these people for what they’ve taught me and shown me about coaching.”

–Courtesy of Ben Rosehart