Bowling Green State University has extended the contract of Lou Snelling, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, for five more years. The new agreement will keep Snelling in his role through June 2030.
“For more than 14 years, Lou Snelling has played a vital role in the success of BGSU Athletics,” said Derek van der Merwe, Vice President for Athletics Strategy and Director of Athletics. “He has built a culture that values excellence, teamwork, and integrity, while helping our student-athletes reach their full potential. We’re excited to continue benefiting from his leadership and look forward to all that’s ahead for the program under his direction.”
“I’m incredibly honored to continue leading the Cross Country and Track & Field programs at Bowling Green State University,” said Lou Snelling. “Over the past 14 years, we’ve seen consistent growth culminating in this spring’s MAC Championship victories. That success reflects the dedication and belief of our student-athletes, staff, and the broader university community.”
“I’m deeply grateful to my family for their unwavering support, and to Vice President for Athletics Strategy and Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe, along with President Rodney K. Rogers, for their leadership and belief in our vision. I feel a deep sense of purpose about our program’s future.”
Snelling began leading the cross country and track & field teams in the 2011–12 season when both teams were struggling at conference and regional championships. Under his guidance, both programs improved steadily over time.
In 2025, Bowling Green won its first Mid-American Conference (MAC) Indoor title since 1999 and its first Outdoor championship since 1981. This was also the first time both titles were won by Bowling Green in one year as well as a first for any women’s-only program in MAC history. During this season, Snelling received MAC Coach of the Year honors for both indoor and outdoor seasons as well as USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year recognition.
The Falcons had seven All-MAC performers during indoor competition in 2025 and six during outdoor events. Reese Reaman was named MAC Indoor Freshman of the Year under Snelling’s coaching; eight school records were broken across both seasons; thirty-nine individual top ten performances were recorded; Trista Fintel was recognized as MAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year.
A record six athletes qualified in seven events for the NCAA East Regional meet during 2025.
Snelling also mentored Kylee Cubbison who set five school records and earned First-Team All-MAC honors indoors and outdoors before competing at NCAA East Regional.
Academically, Snelling’s teams have consistently performed well. The women’s cross country team received USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recognition in thirteen out of fourteen seasons under his leadership with team GPAs reaching 3.91 in 2023 and 3.97 in 2024—the highest among Division I women’s cross country programs nationally. The track & field team also maintained annual academic honors throughout his tenure.
Snelling holds advanced degrees from Indiana University (public affairs) and University of Central Florida (political science/history). He competed as an athlete at UCF where he served as captain on both cross country and track teams earning all-conference honors.
He is married to April Vitori—also a former UCF runner—and they live with their two children in Bowling Green.
