McMurry University Men's Track

Parris longtime assistant coach for the McM track and field programs to head coach on June 5, 2014. The 2016 season saw the McM teams do well in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) championships. Indoors, the McM men were 13th and the women sixth.  Outdoors, the women placed third and the men fifth. Women's senior thrower LaNissa Burns earned a pair of gold medals in the hammer and discus, also placing second in the shot. In his first season at the McM helm, the 2015 squads produced a memorable season. In the NCCAA championships, the women were fifth indoor and thrid outdoor. The men's squad was fifth and ninth indoor and outdoor, respectively, at the NCCAA evnts. Women's hurdler Tiana Alexander won the NCCAA titles in both the 55-meter hurdles (indoor) and 100-meter hurdles (outdoor), also qualifying for the USA Indoor National Championships. Officially, Parris has had an association with the McMurry program dating back to 1995 when he began as a studentbut in reality, it goes back much further than that.   When it comes to taking over the reins as the War Hawks head track and field coach, the French might very well say of Parris: (translation: This is your destiny).   Long before enrolling at McMurry, Parris roots were well-entrenched. Both of his parents attended and graduated from McMurry and, as time passed, he regularly made the campus his childhood playground (as he puts it: I was the little kid jumping around on the landing pads at the high jump and pole vault pits). His mother Dr. Pug Parris has taught at McMurry for 36 years, currently serving as McMs Director of Inter-Disciplinary Studies and the former chair of the kinesiology department. His father Rickey was a four-time NAIA national champion in the pole vault for the track team.   As for his own athletic career, Brad Parris credentials are impeccable.  He earned bragging rights at the family dinner table by winning five NCAA Division III national pole vault championships, besting his Dad by one, with three straight indoor titles from 1999-2001 and two outdoor championships in 1999 and 2000 He still holds McMs pole vault records for both indoors (17 5 ¾) and outdoors (17 9 ¼) and ranks No. 4 outdoors and No. 6 indoors on the NCAA Division III all-time list.   In addition, he was named the regional athlete of the year in 1999, he was recognized as the top performer at the national indoor meet in 2000, and he was named the American Southwest Conference Male Athlete of the Year in 2000.   (Parris only competed for three seasons, as McMurry did not sponsor track and field as a sport during his first year in college).   Parris also set the bar high no pun intended in the classroom, earning three academic all-American honors and graduating with a 4.0 grade point average from McMurry. He was on the Deans List every semester of his collegiate career.   Upon graduating from McM, Parris began working as an assistant coach with the track program, while also concurrently teaching for the Anson ISD (2001-03) and Merkel ISD (2003-04). In 2004, Parris was hired as a full-time assistant coach for McMurrys track and field teams and held that position until his elevation to head coach to replace legendary Barbara Crousen (who retired in May of 2014 after 16 seasons at the McM helm).   As Crousens right-hand man for McMurrys storied program, Parris has coached a total of three national champions (two pole vaulters and one high jumper), 16 vertical jumps All-Americans and 21 vertical jumps academic all-conference selections during his tenure. His work was an integral part of McMurrys NCAA III mens outdoor national championship teams of 2008 and 2012still the only NCAA team titles in school history.   Parris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies, with a concentration in Biology, from McMurry (2001). He earned his masters degree in Sports Management from Hardin-Simmons University (2011). Parris was a 1995 graduate of Abilene High School.   Parris is married (Ann) and is the father of twin boys Braxton and Brody. The family resides in Abilene.    

Cooper officially joined the McMurry University track and field staff in 2015-16 and took over the cross country teams in the fall of 2016. However, Cooper has a long association with the university prior to that.   Cooper, a native of Fredericksburg, Texas, competed as a sprinter for McMurry for 2 ½ seasons (2010-12), before a torn hamstring ended his career. Prior to his injury, Cooper had earned a pair of American Southwest Conference championships and was ranked #32 in the 200 meters. He also was a part of McMs 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams which earned berths at the NCAA III championships.   After realizing he could no longer compete, athletically, Cooper became a strength trainer and assisted in coaching sprinters for his team. In 2013-14, Cooper was a strength trainer for McMurrys track, swimming and womens basketball teams. He also continued to volunteer as a sprinter coach for McMurrys track squad.   As a high school athlete, Cooper played football at Fredericksburg High School and also had a stellar track career. He was a three-time district champion in the 400 meters, and a four-time district champ with the FHS 4x400 relay. The 4x400 quartet was the regional champions in 2009 and placed third at the UIL state championships. Cooper earned his bachelor of science degree from McMurry in May of 2014. He was a mathematics (grades 8-12) major, with a minor in curriculum and instruction, and administration of coaching. In addition to his athletics and coaching, Cooper was also Chi Omicron social club, an orientation leader and the founder/president of the McMurry Bass Club.  He was a three-term member of McMurrys Deans List.      

Leggett assumed duties as the McMurry University head cross country and assistant track coach in January of 2015. Leggett is the third cross country coach in the history of McM's program.   Leggett replaced David Chandler.   "We are excited to welcome Zack back 'home' to McMurry," Ferguson said.  "I am confident that he will carry on the tradition of excellence started by Bill Libby and then David Chandler.  His familiarity with McMurry and even with our current returning team members will help for a seamless transition.   "I am very impressed by some of Zack's thoughts and philosophies on recruiting and retention. He is going to be great in terms of training our runners and also as an advocate for our scholar-athletes."   Leggett come to McM after guiding the cross country and track programs at Clarendon College for the past three seasons.   But Leggett is certainly no stranger to Abilene, having previously served as an assistant cross country and distance coach for the War Hawks' program (Jan. 2011-May 2012).  During that stint, he worked under both Chandler and legendary McMurry track head coach Barbara Crousen, as well as with current head track coach Brad Parris (himself an assistant with the War Hawks during that period).   Leggett earned his bachelor's degree in business from Texas Tech University (2008).  He earned his master's degree in kinesiology, sports and recreation management from Hardin-Simmons University (2012).   He holds a USA Track and Field Level 1 coaching certification and is a US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Endurance Specialist. He is also certified personal trainer by the National Association of Sports Medicine.   "I am very excited to take over the McMurry Cross Country Program," Leggett said.  "I know Coach Chandler has left me with a very talented group of student athletes.  I know these kids have had some success over the last few years. .  I want to thank Coach Parris and Mr. Ferguson for having faith in me and allowing me the chance to take this program to the next level.   "It feels awesome to be afforded this opportunity to return to Abilene. My wife and I both grew up here and our plan was always to find our way back. We think this is a fantastic place to raise our children and we can't wait to see what the future has in store for us."