Shaw University Men's Cross Country

Montague is entering his 24th year as head track & field and cross-country coach at Shaw University.  After serving a year as an assistant for both the track and cross-country teams, Montague was named coach in 1991.  His 24 years of service makes him the second longest tenured coach in the CIAA. Montague was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He attended Sanderson High School in North Raleigh, where he lettered in track, and later developed a passion for the sport.  On the track team, Montague was a sprinter/jumper who was a key member of numerous state qualifying teams. I took a liking to track. I was recruited for three sports, but knew that I could excel in track, said Montague.  I knew that track was my ticket out of the neighborhood and into college. After being heavily recruited, Montague came to Shaw University where he had a very accomplished career as a student-athlete.  He was named Most Valuable and Most Outstanding Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete three times each. He was also a Division II National track qualifier multiple times. Montague graduated from Shaw as an honor student and a decorated runner, holding the Shaw records in both the 55m and 100m dashes. As a coach, he has been named Coach of the Year four times, including 2000 and 2002 when the women's cross country teams won the CIAA championship.   Being in this profession, you always want to be on top.  I always knew that winning a championship at this level and in this conference would be hard, said Montague.  In 2011, Montague was again named Coach of the Year when the men's team brought home a CIAA championship. After winning two womens championships, I wanted to get one for the guys.  It was very emotional winning because of all the hard work me and my staff put in, said Montague.  To finally break through and win a mens championship was incredible.  I felt like I reached the pinnacle after winning championships on both sides [Mens and Womens]. He has coached over 140 All-CIAA performers, 12 NCAA Division II qualifiers, three NCAA Division II All-Americans, and one NCAA Division II All-Southeast Regional Cross Country performer. Ive been blessed with good players and great students, said Montague. Over 90% of my athletes have graduated.  I want them to be the best athlete they can be, but more importantly the best student they can be.  At the end of the day, graduating is what really matters. Montague knows he wouldnt be where he is today without the student-athletes.  Ive coached doctors, a number of people in the military and law enforcement, people in business, and some lawyers.  I push the athletes to pursue a career from day one.  For his outstanding achievements as both an athlete and a coach, "Coach Q" as he is known was inducted into Shaw's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. My induction was one of the proudest days of my career.  Being honored by my peers as one of the best coaches and athletes in school and conference history was a great honor, said Montague. In addition to coaching at Shaw, Montague worked for the City of Raleigh for thirteen years as its Summer Camp Director and as an Assistant Recreational Leader at Chavis Park. Montague is also the intramural director here at Shaw.  The years with the City of Raleigh really benefit me in terms of being well rounded.  It helps me in providing programs to help our students stay active and engaged. Including his time as a student athlete and volunteer coach at Shaw, Montague has been with the University about 31 years. Ive seen a lot of change over the last three decades or so, said Montague.  Its been great.  Im happy Ive been able to stick around my Alma mater for so long. When not coaching, Coach Q enjoys reading, watching sports, and mentoring young adults. He is married to the former Maria Curley of Raleigh, NC. They have one daughter, Natasha, and one grandson, Zyrie.