July 1, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami University Head Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Coach Rita Arndt-Molis has resigned her position effective July 31, Athletic Director Brad Bates announced today.

Molis was named 2008 Mid-American Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year in November after leading the RedHawks to the first conference title in program history. Two runners were named first-team all-league with a top-seven placing, while three others earned second-team honors. Miami was ranked as high as fourth in the Great Lakes Region during the season and finished sixth at the NCAA Regional competition. The RedHawks also stood as high as 35th in the national rankings.

On the track, Arndt-Molis helped Miami to a tie for third place at the MAC Indoor Championship and a fourth-place standing at the Outdoor Championship. Five RedHawks qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regional, while two others earned a place in the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.

"I will miss the team the most," Arndt-Molis said. "These girls stole my heart this past year with their enthusiasm, tenacity, humor and intelligence. They are such a unique group and capable of so much. It is difficult to leave them after such a short time, but I have confidence in each of them that they will be better from this experience.

"Brad Bates, Jennie Gilbert, Steve Cady and the rest of the administration are amazing," she continued. "Miami is the type of place where excellence is the standard and everyone helps each other pursue that standard. I am a better person for having worked here and I appreciate all that this administration and support staff has taught me."