Ricardo Santos Named New Coach of B.A.A. High Performance Team

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that Ricardo Santos will become the next coach of its High Performance Running Team, effective March 15. Santos most recently served as Director of the Iona College (New Rochelle, New York) Cross Country and Track and Field Programs.

The B.A.A. high performance athletes are part of the B.A.A. Running Club, racing nationally and internationally. From 2003 to 2006, Santos ran as a member of the Running Club, which has been supported by adidas since 1991. 

"I'm excited to return to the club for which I competed during my post collegiate career, and I'm appreciative of the B.A.A. for providing me with this opportunity to come back to the organization in the capacity of High Performance Coach,” said Santos. “Together, we will continue to build the High Performance program, and I look forward to working with the talented athletes already on the team to help them achieve their desired goals. All along, we inspire other runners, and we will be community-minded."

A native of Portugal, Santos previously resided in Canada and matriculated at Iona College. An athlete with deep roots in the region, Santos developed in the sport while a member of Toronto Olympic Club. Post-collegiately, and in addition to competing for the B.A.A., he served as an assistant coach at Harvard University from 2005 to 2008.

“Ricardo’s understanding of the sport and the tools that build success make him a great fit to lead our High Performance Team,” said B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk. “We’ve been very pleased with the rapid growth of the team since its inception just five years ago, and Ricardo’s coaching will only further propel B.A.A. athletes and the team they represent. We’re very excited to bring him on board.”

An athlete at Iona College, Santos was an NCAA All-American. As a coach, his athletes accrued a long list of accomplishments, including NCAA Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track Championships, All-American honors, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships, and eight top-10 NCAA team finishes in cross-country.

Santos succeeds Terrence Mahon, who continues to serve the B.A.A. High Performance team in an advisory capacity. The B.A.A. Running Club, and High Performance Team is led by Michael Pieroni, the B.A.A. Athletic Performance Director. 

“Ricardo’s track record both as a coach and athlete were immediately appealing,” said Pieroni.  “We’re excited to blend his experiences with the talents of our athletes, and, more broadly, the entire B.A.A. Running Club that will derive benefit from Ricardo’s leadership. It’s a great step for the program.”

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. Since 1991, the B.A.A. running club has been sponsored and supported by adidas. The B.A.A. added the High Performance Team in 2014. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock. More than 60,000 runners participate in B.A.A. events annually. The 122nd Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.teambaa.org.

MEDIA INFORMATION

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