PUC Pioneers Welcome Back Alumnus Drew Macomber as Head Cross Country Coach

Pacific Union College (PUC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Drew Macomber as the new Head Cross Country Coach for the Pioneers. A former PUC student and accomplished runner, Macomber is returning to his alma mater to take the helm of the cross-country program and lead a new generation of athletes.

In a recent interview, Coach Macomber shared insights about his background and what excites him most about taking on this new role. "Along with being a runner, I am also an artist and I play music. Those are the main passions in my life, and they all work together which is cool," said Macomber. "What I see and, more importantly, what I feel impacts what I paint and what I play. I grew up in Sonora, CA, and spent my younger years in an active household. We would go hiking in Yosemite all the time, and I developed a love for being outside on my feet for long periods of time and for crossing terrain as fast as I can. To this day, I still love these two things."

For Coach Macomber, this opportunity marks a full circle as he not only ran for PUC during his college years but also graduated with a BFA. Reflecting on his time at PUC, Macomber expressed enthusiasm about the unique setup and access to beautiful trails the college provides. "PUC really has a unique set up with the incredible forest behind campus and all of the trails that are accessible," he said. "I am excited to be a part of the students' journey through college in a small way, and to hopefully foster a love of the outdoors more than anything else."

As the new season approaches, Coach Macomber acknowledges some potential challenges in the initial stages. "So far, everything is going smoothly! The biggest thing will be getting the athletes motivated to get training before they return in September so we can hit the ground 'running,'" he noted. Motivating student-athletes to stay committed to their training during the off-season is always a key challenge for any sports program.

When asked about standout runners to watch, Macomber took a team-oriented approach. "I'm gonna go ahead and say keep your eye out on the whole team for both sides," he said. "This is a team sport at the end of the day, and I have faith that they are going to accomplish some big things!"

Looking ahead to the 2023-2024 season, Coach Macomber has set ambitious goals beyond just chasing personal bests and fast times. "Along with chasing PB's and fast times, I really want the athletes to come out on the other side of this season with a newfound sense of self-belief," he explained. "With that mindset, anything is possible, both athletically and in other areas of life."

The PUC community eagerly anticipates the upcoming cross-country season under Coach Drew Macomber's leadership. With his passion for the outdoors, artistic sensibility, and prior experience as a successful runner, he brings a unique blend of skills to the coaching role, ensuring an exciting and transformative season for the Pioneers.