MOBILE, Ala-- The University of Mobile announced Alastair Stevenson as Head Coach of the men's and women's cross country teams.

Stevenson graduated from Mobile in 2001 with a B.S. in HPER. While at Mobile, Stevenson ran cross country and track for four years. He qualified for the NAIA National Championships all four years in cross country, and two times each in track and indoor track.

"It's an honor to have the opportunity to come back here and coach the team I ran on," Stevenson said. "I look forward to working with the runners and trying to bring out their best. It's definitely an exciting opportunity."

Stevenson received his Masters of Sports Science from the US Sports Academy in 2008 and is currently in the Doctoral Program at the University of West Florida.

For the past ten years, he has taught PE in the Mobile school system, and has spent four years working with the Boys and Girls Club. His lone coaching experience comes from a one-year stint at Faith Academy, coaching track and field.

After competing for eight National Championships, Stevenson knows something about reaching your potential, and that is what he is going to key on as a coach.

"Basically, all I can ask is for them to do their best," Stevenson said. "I want them to be able to perform to the highest of their ability. My main thing is to be sure they maximize their potential."

The UM cross country squads will open the 2010 season Sept. 1 at the Mississippi College Season Opener in Clinton, Miss.