Bio

Brian Walsh completed his 20th season as the women's cross country coach at Western New England University in 2019.

Last fall, Western New England had one All-CCC performer as senior Brooke Townsend received All-Conference recognition for the second straight season after finishing 14th at the CCC Championship.

In 2018, the Golden Bears had two All-CCC performers (senior Meagan Dias & junior Brooke Townsend) for the first time since 2007 as Dias and Townsend finished 13th and 15th, respectively. Dias also became the program's first three-time All-Conference performer since Kaylee Martin & Jackie Beers (2005-07).

The 2017 Golden Bears turned in a sixth-place finish at the CCC Championship, hosted by the University of New England. Junior Meagan Dias again paced Western New England, earning her second straight All-CCC honor after placing seventh overall in the 100-runner field. 

Western New England registered a fifth-place finish at the 2016 CCC Championship after eight consecutive sixth-place performances. Dias led the way, earning All-CCC recognition with her eighth-place effort. The Golden Bears also hosted their annual WNE Invitational, finishing 8th of 22 teams. 

The 2015 season saw the Golden Bears posted sixth-place finishes at both the Western New England Invitational and the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship. Graduate student Hadiatou Barry provided one of the top individual highlights of the season with her selection as the CCC's NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. 

In 2014, Walsh coached a slew of award winners, most notably CCC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year Erica Lozy. Additionally, seven Golden Bears earned Academic All-CCC recognition, and sophomore Kirsten White made the All-Conference team as a rookie.

In 2013, Walsh mentored four academic all-conference selections including CCC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year winner Alyssa Chamberlain.

The Golden Bears ran in eight races in 2012, finishing first in a home triangular meet with Anna Maria and Elms colleges.

Walsh is a 1997 graduate of Springfield College where he was among the top runners on the Pride's men's cross-country and indoor/outdoor track squads.

In cross country, he participated in three NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships and was a two-time Academic All-District selection.

In 2009, Walsh participated in the 113th Boston Marathon that was "the toughest race" of his life. He completed the 26.2 mile course in 3 hours and 1 second, which was 1,343 overall out of 22,849 runners.

Walsh also ranked among the top middle distance runners in the New England region as a collegian. He set a Springfield freshman record in the outdoor 800-meter run (1:53.8) and was the Eastern Championship Rookie of the Year. Walsh also held the varsity record in the 800 (1:52.8).

A native of Southwick, Mass., Walsh took first place in the 800 at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Indoor Track & Field Championship his freshman year and was a four-time national qualifier in the event.

Walsh also serves as the men's cross-country coach at Western New England.