SAULT STE. MARIE – Steve Eles has resigned his positions as head coach of the Lake Superior State track and field team and assistant director of athletics in order to accept an administrative position on campus, LSSU director of athletics Kris Dunbar announced today.

Eles (LSSU ’03), who took over the Laker track and field and cross country programs in August of 2005, replaced Chuck Gustafson as multimedia specialist. He will retain his head cross country coaching position.

“I accepted the position of multimedia specialist in the Academic Affairs Department after a great deal of thought and discussion with my family,” Eles said. “I had many roles on campus from being the head cross country coach, the head track and field coach, compliance officer, mathematics professor and recreation professor. The opportunity to have a single position on campus with more regulated hours ended up convincing me that this new position would be better for me and my family. The ability to spend more time with my wife and two daughters who are ages 6 and 2 was the strongest reason for stepping down as the head track and field coach.”

Eles took on a massive fund-raising campaign when he first took over as the Lakers’ track and field coach. He increased competitive opportunities for his athletes, added scholarships and nearly doubled the size of the program. He served as assistant A.D. for one year.

“I enjoyed my experience as a student athlete at LSSU, and it was great having the opportunity to provide a similar experience to younger student athletes,” said Eles, who still holds the Lakers’ 3,000-meter steeplechase record. “Looking back, what I am most proud of is what we have accomplished. Fifty school records in track and field have been broken over the past five years. We have had one national champion, three All-Americans, four GLIAC champions, numerous academic All-American teams in cross country and track and field, as well as individual academic All-Americans. I am very proud of what these student athletes have accomplished on the track and in the classroom through hard work. It was an honor to help mentor and guide these student athletes.”

“Steve has worn so many hats at LSSU and proven to be a difference-maker in every position,” Dunbar said. “While he leaves big shoes to fill as our track and field coach, we are thrilled that he will continue coaching our distance runners and be available as a resource for us. His new position is a perfect fit for him professionally, and we couldn’t be happier for Steve and his family.”

Dunbar’s search Eles’ replacement as head track and field coach began immediately.

“I am looking forward to the new position and continuing to work for LSSU,” Eles said. “It is great knowing that I am still going to be working with great people. I will continue to be a keen supporter and fan of Laker athletics.”