Mike Rosolino enters his 14th season at the helm of Embry-Riddle cross country in 2016, having taken over the Eagle program prior to the 2013 season.
Over the course of his time at Embry-Riddle, Mike Rosolino’s runners dominated Sun Conference competition while the Eagles were a part of the NAIA. Mike Rosolino’s runners dominated Sun Conference competition. The men’s team won 10 consecutive league titles from 2005-14, while the women’s team topped the conference standings in seven straight seasons from 2006-12. The Eagles’ run began in 2005 when the Embry-Riddle men captured the program’s first league and NAIA Regional titles and made their first team appearance at the NAIA National Championship. A year later, Rosolino’s harriers repeated that performance and were joined by the ERAU women who claimed their first regional and conference crowns.
Rosolino was named The Sun Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year 16 times in his Embry-Riddle career - nine times for the men and seven on the women’s side – and the NAIA Region XIV Coach of the Year four times. He picked up his latest league coaching accolade in 2014 after leading the men to The Sun Conference crown and a 23rd-place finish at the NAIA National Championships. Rosolino saw Ellie Staker become to first women’s cross country runner in program history to earn NAIA All-America accolades in 2013.
The men took fifth-place overall at the NAIA National Championship in 2009, with three runners earning All-America honors for the first time in program history, while the women finished 16th that same season. Rosolino coached Evans Kirwa to his second All-America honor in 2011, the first Eagle runner to accomplish the feat.
In 13 years with the Eagle cross country programs, Rosolino has coached 100 All-Conference performers (51 men and 49 women). The Eagles have also been extremely succesful in the classroom, posting 16 CoSIDA Academic All-America accoaldes and 34 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors.
In 2005, Rosolino was tasked with launching the track and field program at Embry-Riddle. His penchant for success is evident in track and field as well as he led the men to eight conference championships and the women to six league titles in the last 10 seasons.
Rosolino has coached numerous conference champions, 183 NAIA All-Americans and seven NAIA National Champions who have won 16 individual national championships: Beth McCubbin (1000m: 2008, 2009), Crystal Bardge (100m hurdles: 2011, 2012; 60m hurdles: 2011), Sam Vazquez (1000m: 2011), Nicole Bonk (3000m Race Walk: 2012, 2013; 5000m Race Walk: 2012), Reta Woodard (Weight Throw: 2012, 2014; Hammer Throw: 2013, 2014), Mike Edwards (High Jump: Indoor 2013, Outdoor 2013) and Ellie staker (Indoor 800m).
Rosolino came to Embry-Riddle from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., where he spent two years on the coaching staff for the Blue Hose. He began his stint at Presbyterian as an assistant coach and was elevated to the head job after just six months. Despite the brevity of his tenure with the program, Rosolino guided the Blue Hose to their best finishes in school history, producing two South Atlantic Conference Runners of the Year and a Freshman of the Year in the process.
Prior to earning his position within the Presbyterian athletic department, Rosolino spent four academic years (1997-01) as the Director of Residence Life in Clinton. He also served as Resident Director for one year (1996-97) while attending graduate school.
A former standout runner for Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., Rosolino helped the Lynx to three Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) titles from 1993-95. In his final season, he assumed the role of team captain and finished 11th overall at the SCAC Championship meet. Rosolino also ran two seasons for the Rhodes track team, competing in the middle to long distance races. In 1995, he finished fifth at the SCAC Championships in the steeplechase.
An Academic All-American for Rhodes in 1994 and 1995, Rosolino was a National Merit finalist and earned distinction as a National Science Scholar.
Rosolino earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Rhodes in 1996. He went on to receive his Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina in 1998 with an emphasis on student personnel services. Rosolino also holds a Level II certification from USA Track and Field. He earned a second Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola College in New Orleans in 2009.
Rosolino and his wife Carrie reside in Port Orange with daughter Lynnlee and son Tanner.
