ROEDER TAKES ON THE MEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY AND LIGHT TRACK PROGRAMS

INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI Athletics Division and dr Roderick Perry have announced the discontinuation Justin Roeder as the next head coach of the men’s cross country and track and field programs. Roeder assumed the position of interim head coach of the men’s track and field programs ahead of the 2022 season and will be promoted to the top spot in both cross country and track and field while the interim tag is removed.

Roeder takes over longtime head coach Chuck Koppen, who led the program to five championships and three top 10 finishes at the NCAA Great Lakes Regionals in cross country alone. Additionally, Koeppen built the men’s track and field program from the ground up as the Jaguars have become a regional power in the distance events, ultimately sending an athlete to the national championships during his tenure.

“I would like to thank the Search Committee and others involved in the process for their work during the search,” Perry said. “Justin is undoubtedly the right person for the job. He’s really good at building relationships with his student-athletes and is incredibly connected in the running community. He has found success as a runner at all levels and as a coach has shown he can take student-athletes to new levels. We know he will work incredibly hard to continue and build on the success we’ve had in both cross country and athletics.”

Roeder returned to the IUPUI program as Koeppen’s top assistant in 2019 and was named interim head coach in December 2021. Previously, he served as a volunteer with the IUPUI program in 2011 and 2012. Last year, the Jaguars won a third straight Horizon League cross-country title while breaking individual school records at both the 6,000 and 8,000 meters. At the league championships, the Jaguars put on a dominant performance with three Jags earning top-seven finishes and three others being named second-team All-League and finishing in the bottom-seven. The momentum carried over into the track and field season, when the IUPUI indoor and outdoor 5,000-meter times were reset.

“I want Dr. express my appreciation to Perry, Ed Holdaway and the Selection Committee for their time throughout the recruitment process and for this great opportunity. This young program has a rich track record at conference level and we look forward to creating an environment that cultivates excellence at regional and national levels,” said Roeder. “I am forever grateful to all of the current and former members of the coaching staff, student athletes and family members who set a high standard for our program and supported my earlier tenure as interim head coach. I look forward to continuing to expand my relationships within the IUPUI community as we work to improve student and athlete experiences in all facets of their academic, athletic and personal journeys.

“I also want to thank coach Koeppen for giving me the chance to be his best assistant in 2019 and for all the insights he has shared over the years. His support and wisdom is something I will always be grateful for and remembered.”

As a student-athlete, Roeder was a five-time Horizon League individual champion in the 3K, 5K, and 10K. He also qualified twice for the Nationals in cross country and was part of a Butler program that had a historic run in the Horizon League when the Bulldogs won 14 straight league titles and a perfect 15-point total in three of his four years scored.


He later ran professionally from 2012-2015, training with the USA Triathlon Collegiate and Olympic Development Programs in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Chula Vista, California. Roeder, a native of Fishers, Indiana, was also the 2004 IHSAA State Champion in Cross Country during Hamilton Southeastern.

Roeder graduated from Butler in 2011 and later founded Roeder Multisport, which trains athletes of different ages and backgrounds in running, swimming, triathlon and cycling.

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