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Wartburg names outdoor track, football field players' entrance for influential coaches

Waverly, IA (03/24/2025) — Wartburg College will honor the tenure of two longtime influential coaches with the naming of the school's outdoor track and the players' entrance to Walston-Hoover Stadium.

The Newsom Outdoor Track recognizes the success of Marcus Newsom, who serves as the director of cross country and track and field, the head track and field coach and an assistant athletic director. Newsom has been at Wartburg since 1998.

The Willis Championship Tunnel honors Rick Willis, who was the Knights football coach from 1997 to 2005 and 2008 to 2021. He amassed a 185-46 record before being named the college's first vice president for strategic recruitment.

"Coaches Newsom and Willis have transformed Wartburg athletics through their extraordinary leadership and commitment to excellence. Their impact extends far beyond their winning records; they've shaped the lives of countless student-athletes," said Rebecca Ehretsman, Wartburg president. "These namings celebrate not only their competitive achievements but also their embodiment of Wartburg's values and their lasting legacy within our community."

The namings will also help the college kickstart a $5 million fundraising effort - the Wartburg Community Wellness and Recreation Initiative - which will sustain and enhance the Ohle Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center as well as Walston-Hoover Stadium. Lead gifts totaling $1 million have already been received in support of the initiative.

Planned upgrades include resurfacing the track, replacing the Zimmerman Field turf, replacing the lanes and pits for jumps and throws, modernizing the stadium scoreboard, transitioning field lights to LEDs and resurfacing the indoor Hoover Fieldhouse & Track.

Newsom is a 13-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division III Coach of the Year and has led Wartburg student-athletes to 291 indoor and 347 outdoor Division III All-American performances, including 38 individual national champions, since 1999. His teams have earned 61 indoor and outdoor conference championships and nine national championships.

"I am beyond grateful, honored and humbled for such recognition. This recognition is for all the many student-athletes and families who blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of their colligate career and the incredible coaches that I have had the privilege to work alongside," Newsom said. "I equally share this honor with my wife, Stephanie, and our three sons, Mosai, Asa and Che, who all sacrificed for me to live out my calling. I would also be remiss to not mention my mother, Dottie Newsom, for her love, teaching and upbringing. I am grateful to Wartburg College for this incredible gesture and look forward to seeing future generations of student-athletes excel on this track."

Under Willis, the Knights earned 11 conference championships and made an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 11 of his 21 seasons, with the team making it as far as the Elite Eight in three of those years. He was named the American Football Coaches Regional Association Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2017. Willis coached 44 All-Americans, six conference MVPs and two Gagliardi Trophy finalists.

"I am appreciative and honored by this recognition, none of which would be possible without the unwavering support of my family," Willis said. "Our program is all about the team. The achievements of our football program are the result of tremendous work and commitment by many talented players and coaches over a long period of time. Their efforts combined with outstanding support from the college and many other supporters allowed us to build this special program."

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