August 10, 2007
(Release courtesy of Steven Phelps, Buena Vista sports information director)

STORM LAKE, IOWA . . . Buena Vista Director of Athletics Jan Travis has announced the hiring of Nick Maas to lead the men’s and women’s cross country teams, while also serving as an assistant coach with the track and field programs. Maas began his duties on campus, August 7.

Maas spent the past year as the head cross country/track and field coach at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D. He coached three all-conference runners, including one conference champion, as well as one national qualifier. Several of his student-athletes also landed NAIA Daktronics Academic All-American honors.

“I am excited beyond words to be returning to my alma mater,” Maas said. “I've been anticipating the chance to be in a coaching role at BVU ever since I was an athlete here. It feels great to be somewhere with familiar sights, sounds, and people. My wife, Mandi, and I really feel at home in Storm Lake, and are really excited about making our return.”

A former runner at BVU, Mass was a three-time Iowa Conference place winner in track and field (2002-04) and was also a three-year captain for both the cross country and track and field teams. Following his junior season, he moved to the University of Northern Iowa and was a member of the third-best 4x800 meter relay in school history as well as the 2005 Indoor and Outdoor MVC Championship Team.

Maas continued at UNI where he received his master’s degree in Exercise Physiology in May 2006. During that time, he served as a graduate assistant for both cross country and track and field as he helped coach several all-conference athletes.

“We are excited to have Nick back on campus as a member of the BVU coaching staff,” Travis stated. “Coach Maas was a leader on the BVU cross country team for three years before running his final year at the Division I level. His experiences at the Division III level as a student athlete and Division I running and coaching, along with his strong leadership skills, will be asset to the cross country and track programs.”

-30-