CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University Athletics Director Jen Benway has announced that Aaron Nelson has been elevated to the position of Head Coach for both the Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track programs.
Nelson, who joined Lesley as an Assistant Coach this past December, replaces Jonathan Alizio who stepped down as the leader of both programs after two seasons.
"In his short time on campus, Aaron has made a huge impact with the Track program and we are excited to have him as our new leader for both Cross Country and Track," said Benway. "He has elite running experience as a student-athlete at the Division I level at the United State Air Force Academy and will help bring both programs to higher levels. He is passionate about Lesley and our community and I am confident that he will build meaningful relationships with our student-athletes."
In his first season on staff with the Lynx, Nelson helped the Track program reach new heights as personal-records and placements improved virtually every week. He also worked closely with senior Coni Bernales (Santiago, Chile), who qualified and competed in the NCAA Division III Regional meet – the first member of the program to do so since the 2014 season.
"I am so grateful to the athletic department and to Coach Alizio for allowing me to take on this challenge," said Nelson. "I am very appreciative that Lesley University is giving me this opportunity to coach at the Division-III level. I love both of these sports very much, and I love sharing my knowledge and experiences with this group of student-athletes. They are all so dedicated and passionate about running; I am excited to share their passion and uphold the high standards that they and Coach Alizio have set for both programs. I am both humbled and honored to coach these young men and women, and I am looking forward to helping all of them reach each and every one of their goals."
Nelson was a sprinter and hurdler at the United States Air Force Academy where he was a Mountain West All-Conference recipient while graduating third out of 1,058 student-athletes in the US Air Force Academy Athletics rankings.
Outside of Athletics, he was a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Pilot Instructor Training Program and completed the Air Force Managerial Leadership Development Course. Since then, Nelson has earned the United States Track and Field Fundamentals/National Accreditation.
Nelson earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Geospatial Sciences and Foreign Area Studies/International Relations from the US Air Force Academy and his Master of Business Administration degree at Mississippi State University.