The University of Guelph’s extensive search for a coach to lead its cross country and endurance programs has concluded with Terry Radchenko filling the role as the season gets underway.
Radchenko said he has 17-years of experience as he comes to Guelph from the University of Toronto and Toronto Track Club.
“For me, it’s a new start and a new adventure, there is a great group there, I think (associate head coach) Jason Kerr is a great coach and in talking to him and hearing his vision about the program we are really aligned with what we want to do,” said Radchenko. "Athletes first and foremost, and setting big goals and working really hard but smart to achieve them and we want to have a great time.”
A news release from the university outlined his experience saying: “Radchenko spent the last nine years at the University of Toronto, helping build their endurance program into a national powerhouse that helped the Varsity Blues win three consecutive U SPORTS women's Track and Field championships (2015-2017) and one U SPORTS cross country championship (2018). He guided dozens of student-athletes to national team selections, including three Olympians. He has worked at every level of the sport from youth development to high-performance and is one of the most well-respected endurance coaches in Canada.”
“We are proud and excited to announce Terry as our next cross country and endurance programs coach. He brings a wealth of experience to the program, and I have complete confidence in his abilities and leadership to put our student-athletes in the best possible position to succeed on the course and in the classroom,” said Scott McRoberts, director of athletics in an email.
Radchenko’s hiring comes nearly two years after The University of Guelph fired longtime track and field and cross-country coach Dave Scott-Thomas after it received information about "unprofessional conduct."
In December of 2019 as the situation was unfolding, the university issued a statement saying:
“The University of Guelph has terminated its relationship with Dave Scott-Thomas, the head coach of its track and field program. Recently, the University received information from former and current track and field athletes regarding their experiences on the team. During the course of reviewing this information and in the last 24 hours, the University became privy to new information regarding past unprofessional conduct. The well-being of our student-athletes is a priority; the University does not tolerate conduct from its coaches that is inconsistent with the core values and beliefs of the University of Guelph and our University’s Coaches Code of Conduct.”
In January of this year, the University of Guelph promised to put in place recommendations made in two recent reports, one dealing with sexual violence and the other made in response to the firing of Scott-Thomas.
In regards to Scott-Thomas, Radchenko said he can’t speak to the past, rather his outlook is that the university has the student-athletes, environment, program and the forward-thinking vision to create new chapters of success here at U of G.
“It’s been a successful program like there is no doubt, and the athletes in it have been very successful, so I wanted to know what they have done to achieve the level of success they have and then hopefully work with them in a smart way to built on that, said Radchenko. Really, for me, it’s all about communications first, honest and open communication, being able to talk about things and feeling that trusting relationship to talk about things good or bad, running-wise or life-wise.”
