SAMFORD TAGGED AS NEW DIRECTOR OF CROSS-COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD
Lindsborg, Kan. – The Bethany College Athletic Department has announced that Luke Samford will transition into becoming the new Director of Cross-County and Track and Field and Weight Room Coordinator role following the resignation of Daylon Smith.
"Thanks to Laura Moreno and Bethany College administration for the opportunity to bring the Bethany College Cross Country and Track & Field program back to prominence," said newly-named Coach Luke Samford. "I'm excited to continue to serve the Swedes in a hands-on capacity that emphasizes the entire student experience that Bethany College offers. I hope to continue the great traditions of this program into this coming year and beyond!"
Coach Samford has quite a track record as a coach. He has made a few stops at the high school and collegiate levels, coaching track and field. He began his coaching career in 2010 at Lake City High School in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Two years later, Samford made his way to Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga. In 2013, he moved north to Sewanee, Tenn. to coach at Sewanee: The University of the South.
In 2014, Samford returned to Georgia to coach at Mercer University in Macon, Ga. A couple years later, Luke Samford found his way to Kansas to coach the Kansas Wesleyan University Track & Field team from 2016 to 2019; two of those years as the head coach. His next stop led him to Coupeville, Wash., where Samford was the head coach at Coupeville High School. His latest coaching stop was in 2021, back in Salina, Kan., where he was a district coach in pole vault for both Salina Central High School and Salina South High School.
Samford has also had certifications with USATF (USA Track & Field) as a level one coach, level two endurance coach, and with USTFCCCA (US Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association) as a jumps specialist.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Samford has coached 16 national qualifiers, 86 all-conference athletes, and 19 school record holders.
"We are excited for Luke Samford to transition into the Director of Cross Country/Track & Field and Weight Room Coordinator role. Luke has done great work as Assistant Athletic Director, and I know he will continue to do so as he now reenters the coaching realm. His passion for coaching and training as well as athlete and whole person development is evident in any conversation you have with Luke. I look forward to seeing his continued impact with our Swede student-athletes!"
Luke joined the Bethany College family as part of the SSC (Student Success Center) in the Fall of 2021. Afterwards, he became the Assistant Athletic Director within the Bethany College Athletic Department where he held the position for three years.
Samford earned his Bachelor's Degree in general studies from the University of Idaho in 2011. He continued his education at Mercer University, where he received his Master's Degree in education in 2016.