From University of Rochester Athletics
Edward "Eddie" Novara, an assistant coach at Binghamton University, is joining the University of Rochester as men's and women's cross country and distance coach.
Novara comes to the River Campus after two years as an assistant coach with both cross country and track plus one year as a volunteer assistant coach at SUNY Geneseo. Novara is a 2012 graduate of Geneseo (B.A. English)
His appointment was announced by Sam Albert, Rochester's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country.
"I am so thrilled to welcome Coach Eddie Novara to the University of Rochester and our program," said Albert. "He brings great energy and enthusiasm, an outstanding knowledge of distance running, valuable experience as a Division I assistant coach, and a true understanding of what it takes to be a successful Division III student-athlete at a top-notch academic institution. I am confident that Eddie's experiences at two prestigious universities like Geneseo and Binghamton have prepared him well to lead our middle and long distance runners here at Rochester."
As both a runner and a coach, Novara has been highly successful. He joined the coaching staff at Binghamton while earning his master's degree (M.A., Teaching with a Concentration in English, 2015). The Bearcats won the America East title in men's cross country last fall. The Binghamton coaches were recognized as the America East Coaching Staff of the Year during the 2014 indoor track seasons and then for the 2014 cross country season.
In track, he worked with Jesse Garn, a two-time USA Championship Qualifier and an All-American in the 800 meter run. The Binghamton men also ran the fastest 4x800 meter relay in the nation in the 2014 indoor season on their way to an IC4A title.
As a student-athlete, Novara earned three straight All-America honors in cross country (2009-11) as well as All-Region honors in each of those seasons. In his senior year, he helped the Knights to a runnerup team finish at the NCAA Atlantic Regionals and a fourth place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships.
On the track, Novara was the SUNYAC Champion in the Mile, the 1,500, and the 10,000 meter runs as a senior. He was named Geneseo's Athlete of the Year in 2012 and accumulated 15 All-SUNYAC honors between cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track.
John Izzo retired as men's cross country coach and a distance coach in track & field after 47 years in the business. He served at Rochester from 2000-2015. Barbara Hartwig, longtime women's cross country coach and a distance coach for track and field, has been named the assistant director of track and field and cross country at Rochester. She will retain coaching responsibilities in track and field in addition to her expanded administrative duties.