June 4, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University has combined its men's and women's cross country programs and named Tom Service the head coach for both programs effective immediately, Director of Athletics and Recreation Cheryl L. Levick announced today.
Service replaces John Maloney, who resigned in March after 11 seasons to place increased focus on family responsibilities. He becomes the sixth head men's cross country coach in the program's history and will serve in a full-time dual role, overseeing the men's and women's programs. A search for an assistant coach will begin immediately.
"Tom Service has done an incredible job in guiding our women's program to its highest levels in school history and I have every confidence he can lead our men's program in the same direction," said Levick. "When we considered the idea of combining our programs under a full-time head coach, it was obvious we had the right person already on our staff. I look forward to watching both of our distance programs continue to reach new heights under Tom's guidance."
The 2001 West Coast Conference Coach of the Year, Service has led the Bronco women to its first-ever league title and back-to-back runner-up finishes in his three seasons as head women's coach at Santa Clara. He has guided 11 different runners to all-WCC honors in three seasons and his 2003 squad ranked as high as ninth in the NCAA West Region, which is a program-best.
"Santa Clara University has made a significant commitment to its cross country program by making this a full-time position and I am excited about the opportunity to lead it," said Service. "The restructuring of this position gives me the ability to dedicate more time, energy and resources into helping both teams join some of our other Bronco programs that are successful on a regional and national level. I look forward to returning to coaching men and continuing the rapid rise women's program. John Maloney did an outstanding job of creating a program that has a great deal of tradition and integrity. I am eager to maintain the high standard that he has set."
Service spent 13 years as the varsity men's and women's cross country coach at Leland High School in San Jose. The squads' combined record includes 14 Blossom Valley Athletic League Championships and five Central Coast Section Championships. He also led his teams to seven second-place showings.
His teams over the years have featured four individual CCS women's champions and three individual CCS men's champions. Many of those student athletes went on to state and national competition, including 1996 Olympian Marieke Veltman in the long jump and NCAA All-American Emily Allison. Between 1987 and '93, Service also served as Leland's varsity men's and women's track and field coach, leading his squads to three Santa Teresa Athletic League Championships.
A native of Modesto, Service graduated from San Jose State in 1972 with a bachelor's in social science. He also maintains a California State Teaching Credential.
In addition to his duties at Santa Clara the past three years, Service has taught in the Oak Grove District since 1973. Service and his wife Barbara, an elementary school administrator, have three sons: Scott, Adam and J.T., a former two-time all-Big West Conference distance runner at UC-Santa Barbara.
