Columbia-Greene Community College has hired John Pinder to lead the Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track and Field programs.  The college currently offers women's cross country, but starting in the fall of 2015, the men's cross country team will compete for the first times since 1991.  It will be the first time in school history that men's and women's track and field will be sponsored by the college.   They will compete in the spring of 2016.

John Pinder comes to Columbia-Greene with a wealth of knowledge and running experience.  Coach Pinder attend SUNY Cortland, where he participated on the men's cross country team under legendary running coach Jack Daniels.  He also participated on the men's track and field team.  During his college running days, he participated in the 400m, 800m, 1600m, 5K, 8K and the high jump.

Before attending SUNY Cortland, Coach Pinder was a multi-sport athlete at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.  He ran cross country and track and field and also participated on the basketball, football and baseball team. 

"I am very excited about John and what he will bring to the college and athletic department," said Director of Athletics Walter Rickard.  "He has all the qualities we were looking for in a candidate.  He has a passion for the sport, and has a go-getter attitude, which is what I believe we need to get the cross country and track and field programs going in the right direction."

The track and field programs will be using the track at Catskill High School to train.  "Cross country and track and field are offered by almost all of the high schools in Columbia and Greene County, so after speaking with our Vice President and Dean of Students and Enrollment Management,  it seemed like a great opportunity to give our high school student-athletes an option to stay home and compete."

Pinder graduated from SUNY Cortland and currently teaches physical education at The Astor Learning Center in Rhinebeck.