HEAD COACH MARK LEIBOWITZ

Mark Leibowitz joined the Ranger staff in the summer of 2004 and brings youth and exuberance to Drew’s cross country program.  Since he took over the reigns of the program, he has led a revival for the Running Rangers by increasing the number of participants and the quality of the results.

In addition to experience as a collegiate runner at Rowan University, Leibowitz is the owner of Bodies by Leibo and the general manager for One Human Performance Center, a training center in Pine Brook, NJ.  At One Human Performance, he applies his expertise in strength, speed, and kinesiology in a consulting position with the New York Giants.  He is currently involved in an ongoing program with the Giants using a unique movement screening process which focuses corrective adaptation in an effort reduce injuries and improve efficiency of movement.  Leibowitz brings this type of professional experience to his comprehensive approach to coaching cross country.

Leibowitz is currently the sprints and jumps coach at Montville High School and previously coached at Johnson High School in Clark, NJ.  He worked at NFL Films and Phoenix Communications as a production assistant before making the transition into coaching.  An avid power lifter, Leibowitz was the 2000 USAPL New Jersey State Champion.  He is a certified trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, has lectured for the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and is the owner of Bodies by Leibo in Westfield, NJ.

Leibowitz graduated magna cum laude from Rowan University in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, and was a member of the NJAC All-Academic Team.  A four-year participant on the Profs’ track and field team, he placed 6th in the 400 at the 1996 NJAC Championships, and was part of the first place 4x4 relay team.  While at Rowan, Leibowitz was also a two-time 4x4 participant at the Penn Relays and still runs in competitive track meets. 

As an athlete, he recognizes the fact that the body must move and react in multiple planes in response to multiple forces each and every day. Therefore, training should respect those facts with a diverse and integrative approach.

ASSISTANT COACH LAWRENCE ATHILL

Lawrence Athill joined the Drew staff in 2006.  A noted track and field coach, he has been an invaluable addition to the cross country program.  With nearly twenty years of coaching on his resume and six Olympians to count as former athletes, Athill brings expertise as well as experience.  A strong communicator and a proponent of “smarter training”, Athill helps head coach Mark Leibowitz teach the “art of running.”

Athill began his coaching career in 1978 at Essex County College before moving into individual coaching and private clubs.  Between 1992-2000, he worked with Shana Williams, a two-time Olympian long jumper and runner-up at the 1998 Goodwill Games.  He worked with Olympians Jack Pierce, Kelly Blair, Lisa Barbara, Joetta Clark and Hazel Clark as well.  He also counts numerous national champions at various age groups as his trainees.  A respected member of the New Jersey high school and youth track communities, Athill has coached New Jersey state champions in the hurdles, 100m, 400m, long jump and triple jump. 

“Coach Athill has been a tremendous influence on our program,” says Leibowitz, “Having a successful veteran coach helped the program and coaching staff make great strides last season.”