* This release is courtesy of the Saginaw Valley State University Athletic Media Relations Office.
UNIVERSITY CENTER - Saginaw Valley State University named Grant Wall as Head Men's & Women's Track and Field and Cross Country coach on July 22, 2008.
Wall had most recently finished his second season as an assistant coach at Columbia University. "I am very pleased to have a coach of Grant's quality come to Saginaw Valley State University to lead our track and cross country programs," Director of Athletics Mike Watson said. "Coach Wall has had great success with his athletic programs, but he is also known for his commitment to the academic success of his players. I am very pleased to welcome him to SVSU," added Watson.
He joined the Columbia staff in 2006 as an assistant coach and worked with the weight throwers, javelin throwers and pole-vaulters, among Columbia's field event competitors, plus the 800-meter runners and decathlon specialists. He designed and implemented physical, technical, strength training and off-season training programs for his athletes.
Wall worked closely with academic coordinators in monitoring his student-athletes' academic progress and eligibility. Last season he had one member of his team earn
Academic All-Ivy League and was also named first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District for men's Track & Field/Cross Country.
He helped develop four of the top ten throwers at Columbia in the shot put, javelin, decathlon, and heptathlon. Wall assisted in coaching four Columbia athletes that were trying to compete for a spot on the 2008 USA Olympic Team in August.
"We are very sad to see Grant go, but he is very ready for this opportunity and I know he will have success at Saginaw Valley. This is a sign of the hard work and dedication that he has shown since the moment he arrived here," said Willy Wood, Head Track and Field Coach for Columbia University.
Prior to arriving at Columbia, Wall spent six seasons as an assistant at Miami University.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Wall attended Westerville North High. He first entered Ohio Northern University, transferring to Ohio State. He ran cross country for both. He graduated from Ohio State in 1998 with a B.S. in education, and received an M.S. in sports organization from Miami in 2005.