FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

USTFCCCA Release

Mar. 18, 2011-- After guiding North Central College to its second straight indoor national title, first year head coach Frank Gramarosso has been named the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year on Friday by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Gramarosso earns the honor in his first year at the helm of the men's track & field program after serving the previous 28 years as an assistant. Under his direction, the Cardinals secured its second consecutive indoor title on March 12, scoring 45 points to edge runner-up Central College (Iowa) by one-point as eight athletes earned All-American honors. It was the third indoor national title and the eighth national title in track & field for the Cardinals. Gramarosso has been on staff for all eight. Earlier in the year, Gramarosso guided the Cardinals to their 11th-straight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Indoor Championship.

It marks the second straight season North Central's head coach has been honored as the indoor track & field coach of the year as current associate head coach Al Carius captured the award in 2010 after leading the team to its first indoor crown since 1989.

The Cardinals open up the outdoor season on April 1, hosting the First Chance Invitational at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.