XC: Ricky Igbani named Interim Men’s/Women’s Cross Country Coach

NEWTON, Mass. – Lasell University director of Athletics Kristy Walter has announced that Ricky Igbani has been named interim head coach of the Lasers men's and women's cross country programs, effective immediately.

Igbani is a 2014 graduate of Lasell, where he was a student-athlete for the Laser baseball team as well as the indoor and outdoor track and field programs. He has worked the past two years as owner and director of a sports performance and youth fitness company as well as recently becoming a coach for an educational athletic training software app built for high school coaches & athletes. Igbani replaces Michael McGrane, who recently resigned to become cross country coach at Norwich University.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Igbani back home to Lasell," said Walter. "We appreciate him stepping up to be our coach on short notice, and we're confident he will be a good fit for our cross country teams. He is a dedicated alum who has been involved in coaching and sports performance since graduating seven years ago. We look forward to him working with our student-athletes and helping them achieve personal and team success this season."

In addition to his current position as the head of the Ije Company, a sports performance company in Massachusetts, and Platform Athletics, an educational athletic training software app, Igbani has been a physical education teacher and coach at Boston English High School since 2019. He also worked for Xplosive Performance Academy in Cambridge/Framingham, Massachusetts, and as a strength and conditioning director at The Next Level Factory in Holbrook, Mass.

"I'm very excited to come home to LU and be back with my Cross Country and Track & Field Family that has impacted my life so much," said Igbani. "This program will continue to build off of Coach McGrane's success, and reach new heights in time. I plan on growing a culture and new identity for this program, one that in time will develop into a true contender in the GNAC, New England, and NCAA. Thank you to Athletic Director Kristy Walter for trusting me with this amazing role and responsibility."

"This move could not be possible without the support and guidance of former Lasell head cross country and track and field coach, and my coach, Jim Martin," added Igbani. "A little over 10 years ago he welcomed a former baseball player into his program with open arms. I had no idea how much his program would impact me as a student-athlete and professional. Now I'm proud to say I'm back to welcome our next generation of runners at LU, and in time make that same impact!"

The Laser men's and women's cross country runners return to campus for preseason training on Monday, August 23. They will have just under two weeks to prepare for the season opener on Saturday, September 4, at the Jim Sheehan Memorial Invitational in Leominster, Mass., hosted by Fitchburg State University. 

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