Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Miriam Merrill

Phone: 312-935-4550

Email: mmerrill@robertmorris.edu

After three seasons as an assistant coach for the Robert Morris Women's Track & Field team, former All-American Miriam Merrill took over as head coach in 2008.  Originally from Bolivar, OH, just outside of Canton, Coach Merrill was an outstanding athlete as an Ohio prep, finishing state runner-up in both the discus and shot put.

Those feats earned an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. She competed in the discus, shot put, javelin, and the hammer throw.  In 2001 she qualified for the NCAA Indoor Nationals, becoming the first--and only--Bearcat All-American in Women's Track & Field.  She still holds the UC indoor weight throw record of 64'1" and is in the school's historic top five in most of her other events.

Following her junior year at UC, Coach Merrill was invited to participate in the prestigious NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference, an honor offered to fewer than two-hundred undergraduates from across the nation.

After receiving her bachelor's degree in communications, Coach Merrill remained at Cincinnati to earn a Masters of Education in Sports Administration.  She is USA Track & Field Level 1 Certified Coach and a member of the Illinois Track and Field and Cross Country Association as well as the Illinois Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches and Officials Association.  She is a Regional Coordinator for the National Football Foundation--an organization dedicated to ensuring the academic success of prep student-athletes and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

"Coach Merrill has been a strong contributor to our track program," says Smith Eggert.  "Our student-athletes are fortunate to have a coach with her background and commitment to excellence leading the program."

Assistant Coach: Craig Collins

Craig Collins is in his first season with the Robert Morris University Women's Track and Field program.  He is in charge of the sprint, jumps, and hurdle events as well as assisting with the multi-event athletes.  Prior to coming to RMU, Collins coached high school track and field in Chicago for twelve years. 

For the last eight years, Coach Collins was the Head Coach for North Lawndale College Prep High School in Chicago. His past achievements include 17 Illinois State Finalists, 8 Division I student/athletes and 13 college/university student/athletes.

A graduate of Indiana University, Collins competed for the Hoosiers as a sprinter from 1986-88.  While at Indiana, Collins trained with Olympians and All-Americans Sunder Nix, Albert Robinson and Dee Dee Nathan.

After graduation in 1991, Collins became a member of U.S. Association of Track and Field, earned his Level 1 coaching certificate and operates a youth track and field club on Chicago’s south side. 

Assistant Coach: Scott Dactelides