NCAA Champ Mircea Bogdan Returns to UTEP, Named Associate Head XC Coach

8/29/2023 9:48:00 AM

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Mika Laaksonen announced Mircea Bogdan as the associate head cross country coach on Tuesday. Bogdan returns to the 915 after Laaksonen recruited Bogdan to compete with the Miners where he was most notably crowned the 2005 NCAA Champion in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

"I'd like to thank Coach Laaksonen for the trust he has in me to lead the UTEP cross country/distance program," Bogdan said. "He helped tremendously with recruiting me to UTEP back in 2003, and now he puts his trust in my coaching abilities. That means a lot to me. Many thanks also to the entire athletic department for their trust in me as well. I look forward to working with everyone and representing our university and our teams with honors."

Bogdan previously served as the director of track and field/cross country at Chicago State during the 2022-23 season. Prior to coaching the Cougars, Bogdan was an assistant coach at Loyola University Chicago for seven seasons and served as a volunteer assistant coach in 2014-15.

"Coach Bogdan is a hard-working, skilled coach that has his student-athletes' best interest in mind," Laaksonen said. "He is an excellent recruiter and has already made contributions in this area to make us better. We are excited to be able to add him into our team and can't wait to get rolling with this new staff."

Bogdan is the second former UTEP athlete to be added to the current UTEP coaching staff after Milton Mallard was named associate head track and field coach on Monday.

Under his tutelage, Bogdan played a major role in the development of 36 All-Missouri Valley Conference selections. At the forefront of that group was Kevin White. Under Bogdan's tutelage, White captured three Valley 800m titles, highlighted by back-to-back victories in the event at the outdoor league meet in 2017 and 2018. White earned Honorable Mention All-American honors after he posted the fourth fastest 1,500m time in school history (3:43.26) to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Bogdan competed at UTEP from 2003 to 2006. The native of Romania's career with the Orange and Blue was highlighted by his 2005 NCAA Championship in which he clocked in an 8:27.29 in the 3000m steeplechase. Bogdan was the runner up the following season. Bogdan added multiple conference titles to his success with the Miners, while ranking in the top 10 in multiple school events.

"Twenty years ago, yesterday, is when I first stepped foot on UTEP's campus as a student athlete. Back then it was a dream come true," Bogdan said. "Coming to UTEP in the fall of 2003 was the best decision I could have taken, one that changed my life and my career forever. I could not have asked for a better opportunity. I am forever thankful to UTEP."

Bogdan received his Bachelor of Health Science in kinesiology (B.S.) from The University of Texas at El Paso in June 2007, and worked towards his Master of Education (M. Ed.) from Saint Francis University in May 2009.

He commenced his coaching duties at UTEP (2006-2007) as a post NCAA eligibility student coach. Following his time in the Sun City, he went to become a graduate assistant at Saint Francis from 2007-2009.

For complete coverage of UTEP Track & Field/Cross Country, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPTrack (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

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