WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Following his 24^th season as Monmouth University's Director/Head Coach of Cross Country and Track & Field, Joe Compagni has announced his retirement.
 
"I am eternally grateful to my current and former coaching staff here at Monmouth, the dedicated student-athletes we have now and that we've had in the past, the great people on campus who have helped build this program, and my family for all their support," said Compagni. "I also can't say enough about Dr. McNeil, as she gave me the opportunity and has done so much amazing work to enable all of Athletics and our team to grow and thrive and reach new levels."
 
"I hope I am part of the Monmouth family forever, and I certainly plan to stay involved both here and in the track & field community."
 
"Joe was the consummate professional," said Monmouth Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil. "He brought the program from near extinction to the heights of a mid-major program that has started to make a loud noise on the national stage.  He will be impossible to replace but he has left Monmouth in the best possible position to build and grow. I want to thank Joe for all he's done for this University. He leaves at the top of his game, and Monmouth is so grateful for the last 24 years!"
 
Since Compagni took over in 1995, the men's and women's cross country and track & field teams have won a total of 58 conference titles in both the NEC and MAAC. The Hawks have also won one ECAC and one IC4A team title. He has been named NEC, MAAC, and NCAA Regional Coach of the Year 58 times – 27 times in the NEC, 23 times in the MAAC, and 8 times as a USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
 
Since 2001, Monmouth track & field athletes have earned 25 NCAA Div. I All-America honors, the most of any sport on campus. This includes 15 All-America honors in in the last 5 years. This year, the program had Allie Wilson win 1^st Team All-America honors indoors and outdoors, Corey Murphy earn 2^nd Team All-America honors indoors and outdoors, and sophomore Danielle Steff earn Honorable Mention honors outdoors.
 
Since joining the MAAC in the 2013-14 season, Compagni and his staff have led the Blue and White to a total of 23 indoor and outdoor titles out of a possible 24. Between the NEC and the MAAC, the Monmouth men and women have both won the last eleven consecutive Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
In 2015, Compagni was named one of the 25 Most Influential People in New Jersey Running. He served for more than a dozen years on the USTFCCCA Division I Track & Field Executive Committee, and was a two-time President of the IC4A Coaches' Association.
 
A 1987 graduate of University of Delaware and a 1990 graduate of Cornell University, Compagni competed in both track & field and cross country and served as cross country captain as a senior. He currently resides in Highlands, New Jersey with wife, Jennifer and daughter, Gabriela.
 
Compagni's official last day will be August 19, however a national search for the next leader of the Monmouth program will begin immediately.