Omar Woods
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C) — Winthrop University has new leadership for the men’s track and field and cross country teams, with the hiring of Raffael Craig, who previously served as an assistant coach at Purdue University.

Craig, who was appointed in July, served as an assistant for two years at Purdue and has also coached runners at Louisiana Tech University.

Craig said he is excited about starting his tenure at Winthrop.

“I’d say (I’m) honored, blessed, and probably just humbled by the opportunity. I love what I do and the purpose I have,” Craig said.

Winthrop Athletic Director Chuck Rey called Craig a “leader” with the “vision, character and energy” to lead the school’s programs, in a statement.

“His commitment to developing culture, character, and well-rounded student-athletes, while striving for championships, aligns perfectly with the Winthrop Eagles’ values and mission,” Rey said.

Before coaching on the collegiate level, Craig coached at Millville High School in New Jersey for 15 years.

“My time at the high school was great and I enjoyed it. For a long time, I stayed because I knew I was helping kids get to college. We can help them navigate, learn some life skills through track, and learn discipline. I’m definitely honored and blessed,” Craig said.

So far, Craig said he is adjusting to his new surroundings.

“It’s great. Everybody around here is very supportive. We’re from Jersey so not everybody is so friendly just walking by people. This team and this culture just really care about each other. There is a great environment here,” he said.

Craig said he enjoys the area surrounding Winthrop and Rock Hill and he hopes to give back to the community any way he can

“The community, that makes a big difference. I love the warm weather, because where we came from, it was negative nine (degrees) last year. To know that is not going to happen this year is nice.”