Dr. Chris Buckler named Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach

St. Louis, Mo. - Director of Athletics, Maria Eftink has announced that Dr. Chris Buckler is Fontbonne's newest head cross country and track coach. Buckler comes to Fontbonne after serving as assistant coach and adjunct professor of Sports Management at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside. At Parkside, Buckler's student-athletes broke 29 school records in Indoor and Outdoor throws. Parkside also produced one All-American cross country runner and one national distance qualifier in Indoor.

"I could not be more excited to have Coach Chris Buckler joining the Fontbonne Family," says Eftink. "His extensive background and proven recruiting skills match the needs of our programs. Coach Buckler's character, intelligence and work ethic have stood out to me in every one of our interactions. I know he is committed to taking Fontbonne Cross Country and Track and Field to the next level."

Before coaching at Parkside, Buckler was an assistant at the Univeristy of Southern Indiana. He has coached numerous All-Americans, earned Grand Valley Lakes Conference (GLVC) Cross Country Championships for both men and women two years in a row, and has coached student-athletes to over 70 broken records in the past three years. Buckler coached the 2012 GLVC Javelin Champion as well as the 2014 Men's 10,000m National Champion.

"I am pleased and honored to be the new cross country/track and field coach at Fontbonne University," comments Buckler. "The hospitality that has been demonstrated to me has been phenomenal since my first time on campus. It certainly is appreciated. I'd like to thank Dr. Pressimore and Ms. Eftink for extending the wonderful opportunity to my family to be your head coach at Fontbonne University. My dream has always been to lead a program at Catholic institution where I could connect academics, athletics and faith. Fontbonne is a perfect fit for my family."

Buckler was a Division I Football and Track and Field student-athlete at Miami of Ohio, having graduated with two Bachelor of Science degrees in 2001. He went on to gain a Masters in Education with a concentration in Sports Management from the University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa. Continuing his education, Buckler has a Certificate in Sports Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Marquette University Law School in 2004. He has also delved into high school coaching and was even a high school athletic director.

Buckler, who has a USATF Level 1 and USATF Level 2 certification is certified in the throws by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and serves on the American Football Coaches Association committee for professional development. Buckler still competes in the throws at USATF Masters events, winning the State Gold Medal in the shot put, hammer throw and discus in 2014.

Buckler and his wife Ami have two sons, Paden and Brendan, with a third child on the way.

"Once again, I want to thank everyone for the support as we build for greatness," comments Buckler. "Go Griffins!"