Emerson to Coach Macalester Women

Betsy Emerson, the former Luther College coach who led two Minnesota natives to NCAA Division III cross country titles, has been named the head women's cross country coach and assistant track coach at Macalester College, the college announced recently.

Emerson (pictured) replaces Jordan Cushing who resigned her position this spring.

Emerson was head women’s cross country and track & field coach at Luther for 17 years, from 1989-2005, before leaving the coaching profession to pursue other interests. Most recently, she has worked as an instructor for MultiCare Health Systems in Tacoma, Wash.

While at Luther, she was named the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year six times in cross country and three times in track. Emerson led the Norse to a third place NCAA Division III finish in cross country in 2000 and a fourth place national finish in outdoor track and field in 1997.

“I am very excited to be the women's cross country and assistant track coach at Macalester," Emerson said in a media release. "I consider it a great privilege and honor to be given this opportunity to work at such an outstanding college."

Emerson coached Turena Johnson of Brainerd and Johanna Olson of Wadena to NCAA Division III cross country titles for Luther and was mentor to six cross country All-Americans. Her cross country teams won IIAC championships six times.

Emerson graduated Cum Laude from Mary College in Bismarck, N.D. in 1986 and earned an M.S. in Education in 1988 from North Dakota State University. She begins her duties at Macalester on August 1.

Photo courtesy of Macalester College.