Aurora University announced the hiring of
Shane Gillespie as head coach of the AU men and women's cross country programs. Gillespie will also serve as the assistant coach of the AU men and women's track and field teams coaching the middle distance and distance runners.
"We are excited to have
Shane Gillespie join the Spartan family to build on the success of the AU cross country programs," said Vice President for Athletics Jim Hamad. "Shane has shown an ability to build a program while developing an impactful team culture, which is a benefit to AU and our student-athletes."
Gillespie is local to AU as he has led East Aurora High School for the last 22 years where he was instrumental in growing the size and success of the cross country and track and field programs. As a collegiate runner, Gillespie was a member of the North Central College track and cross country programs.
"I am very excited to be joining the cross country and track programs at Aurora University," said Gillespie. "I plan to build on the success in the cross country programs, and look forward to helping to elevate the program to the next level."
Gillespie inherits a men's and women's cross country program that has seen quite a bit of success in recent years. The Spartan women won the 2025 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Championship.
