Eric Blake Named NEC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year
After leading the Central Connecticut men's program to the 11th NEC title, Eric Blake was announced as the NEC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year for the ninth time, extending his own conference record.
After leading the men's cross country team to its 11th Northeast Conference Championship, head coach Eric Blake was named Coach of the Year by the NEC on Tuesday. This is the ninth time that Blake has received the honor in his 15th season with the program. The Blue Devils won the NEC Championship with a final score of 19 and had five runners finish in the top seven. Blue Devils finish in the top five, including individual champion James Sullivan.
Along with the NEC Championship, the men's team won the LIU Fall Festival Invitational to start the season, finished first at the Paul Short Invitational, and placed an impressive 13th at the New England Championships.
Appointed as the head coach of the men's program in 2009, Blake has presided over NEC championship teams 11 times in 15 years (2009-2017, 2021, 2023). This season, the Blue Devils had two Athlete of the Week selections (Sam Whittaker 2x) and a Rookie of the Week selection (Aidan Budge).