GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Over the last three years, Jason Schalk has been an incredibly valuable asset to the growth and success of Cornerstone athletics as an Assistant Coach with the cross country and track & field programs as well as his role as an Events and Facilities Coordinator. Because of his success, Director of Athletics Aaron Sagraves announced that his role will be elevated to an Associate Head Coach of Cross Country and Track & Field with his primary role serving as the cross country/distance head coach. 
 
Sagraves stated, "The distance program at Cornerstone is one of the most historically successful programs at Cornerstone. It has been built by some great coaches, and we are excited to now have Jason continue that great success. Jason has a great ability to connect with student athletes and challenge them in their growth spiritually, academically, and athletically, which is what we continually strive to accomplish as our mission here at Cornerstone University." 
 
As the Cornerstone distance program has continued to develop and find some of the program's best success over the last three seasons, Schalk provides a familiar face to continue that success. Prior to coming to Cornerstone three years ago, Schalk last served as a coach at Grace Christian University. He has nearly three decades of experience coaching and recruiting at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. Already in his three years at Cornerstone he has been responsible for helping coach 46 NAIA All-Americans and 19 school record performances, including a national runner-up this past season. 
 
When asked about the promotion, Track and Field Head Coach Andy Wright stated, "Jason's a valuable and versatile asset to our program and has made an impact around the University, not just in athletics. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with and has shown his ability to be successful in any role that has been thrown his way. As he heads back into the distance world, I know he'll attack that the same way he did when he took over our sprints. We are excited to have him be able to focus more directly on the distance program in this elevated role. And I am thankful for his partnership in continuing to build a Christ centered program." 
 
"I am honored and blessed to fulfill God's calling at Cornerstone. The student athletes that we recruit are truly special and I am thrilled to mentor them in this new role," said Schalk. "Our goal is to focus on positive team culture. We also want to continue to succeed at a high level, using the gifts that God has provided each of these athletes, just as they had under coaches who have come before me."
 
Cornerstone will now turn toward finding additional track & field assistant coaches to fill some of the gaps that Schalk was covering prior to the elevated position. More information on the CU track and field program can be found at cugoldeneagles.com or via social media at @cuatheltics. 

Contact: Jesse Campbell | nathan-jesse.campbell@cornerstone.edu | 616-222-1505
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