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UIC Athletics

Will Crocker

Will Crocker joined the Flames in September, 2021 as an assistant coach for the UIC men's and women's track & field and cross country programs. 

“I am really excited to bring Will on board to work with our men and women’s cross country and track program,” said head coach Ashley Lucas. “Will came highly recommended and I believe he will make an immediate impact on our program. He has a lot of energy and enthusiasm for our sport that is very palpable and I know that will rub off greatly on our student athletes’ experience here at UIC.”
 
Crocker was responsible for starting the men’s and women’s track and cross country programs at Westminster College, a Division III institution, in 2019 and immediately built the Blue Jays into a successful program. In a two-year span, Crocker coached 12 All-Conference student-athletes, two conference Athletes of the Week, one Newcomer of the Year and one national qualifier for women’s high jump. Additionally, Crocker was also a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.
 
“I am excited to be in Chicago and back in Illinois to work with Ashley to continue to grow and elevate this program to an elite level,” added Crocker. “I can’t wait to start working with these student-athletes and help them all reach their goals in life, academics, and athletics.”
 
Crocker arrived at Westminster after spending the 2018-19 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Charlotte. That year, the Niners men’s cross country team finished in second at the Conference USA Championships. Crocker would go on to help coach the men’s and women’s women indoor track and field teams to second-place performances at the C-USA Championships.
 
Prior to working at Charlotte, Crocker spent the 2017-18 year as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Missouri. During his time there, Crocker worked closely with six-time NCAA Champion, Karissa Schweizer.
 
Before entering the college ranks, Crocker competed professionally for one season, running for the District Track Club based in Washington D.C. During his professional stint, Crocker ran a PR of 3:41.44 in the 1,500.
 
Crocker graduated from the University of Missouri in 2016 with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism (Sport Management emphasis). As a member of the Tigers track and field program, Crocker was a three-time All-SEC honoree in addition to being a captain as a senior. He owns the school record in the 1,500 (3:41.89) and has PRs of 1:48.99 (800), 4:01.34 (indoor mile) and 24:38 (8k cross country). Crocker earned his master’s degree in 2019 in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology (Positive Coaching emphasis) from Missouri.
 
An Illinois native, Crocker attended Belvidere North High School where he was multiple-time State Champion from 2008-12.