Caleb Morgan, Lee University's head cross country and track and field coach, has recruited a veteran runner to become a key assistant for his rapidly expanding track programs.

Casey Price will give up his cross country and track coaching duties at Cleveland High School and join Morgan's staff at Lee. Price, who ran track at UT-Chattanooga, will continue to hold his teacher's position at Cleveland Middle School.

"We are very excited to have Casey on our staff," said Morgan, who enters his third year as Lee's cross country and track coach.  "He has had a lot of success the last 14 years at Cleveland High School. I have watched Casey coach in the Cleveland area the last few years and was extremely impressed with his professionalism and the way he interacted with his athletes.
 
"Casey knows multiple events and will be a huge help with our sprint and field event programs," added Morgan. "He fits our culture extremely well and understands the goals of our team and the type of athletes we want to bring in.  We look forward to watching his impact on our individual and team success."
 
Price welcomed the new challenge. "I've known coach Morgan for several years," Price, who has been teaching and coaching for 17 years, noted. "Caleb called me and asked if I was interested in coaching the sprinters, jumpers and throwers at Lee. I jumped right on the opportunity."

The new Lee coach was an all-around student athlete at Knox West High School before coming to UTC to run track and earn a degree in education. He later completed his master's degree work at Lee and worked at Ooltewah High before moving to Cleveland.

"I have been impressed with what Caleb has done with the cross country and track programs at Lee," he pointed out.  "I will be working with some 18 athletes and many are freshmen."

The Lee athletic programs are scheduled to complete a three-year transition period for full membership in NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference later this week. This creates extra excitement for Morgan, Price and their athletes.

For the first time the Gulf South Conference will sponsor a championship in women's track and field in the spring of 2016. The GSC will conduct an invitational event for men in 2016, and plans to crown an official champion in 2017.

"Our goal is to win the GSC's first track championship for women," said Price, who stressed that the GSC's track decision was perfect timing for the Lee program. "We are excited to have this opportunity and it gives our girls something extra to work toward."