NEWARK, N.J. (August 11, 2016) – Juan Edney – the Head Coach of the Rutgers University-Newark cross country and track & field programs – will be inducted into the Lincoln University Athletics Hall of Fame on September 9.
 
The event will take place in Manual Rivero Hall on Lincoln's Campus.
 
"I would first like to first say that I am truly humbled, shocked and elated about being inducted into the Lincoln University Athletics Hall of Fame, and I would like to thank the committee for selecting me for such a prestigious honor." said Edney. "When I started at Lincoln back in 1986 I had no idea that I would spend 20 years of my life there as a student-athlete and coach, but I could not be more thankful for the opportunities."
 
A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Edney was told his running career was in jeopardy after an injury he suffered during his senior year of high school, but instead of listening to the naysayers, the Dobbins High School product used it as motivation.
 
Four years later, after completing his eligibility at Lincoln in 1990, Edney had led his team to two National Championships and was an 11-time All-American. He earned elite distinction in the 200-meter dash and both the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.
 
Edney quickly transitioned to coaching, working under his college coach – Cyrus D. Jones – to help the program win an unprecedented 13 national titles, bringing his total to 15 as a student-athlete and coach at the university.
 
"Looking back at some of the adversity I faced at the end of high school to now being on the door step of being inducted into the Lincoln Hall of fame makes me speechless," added Edney. "It's truly the icing on the cake as Lincoln and Coach Jones have been two of the biggest reasons I am who I am as a person today."
 
Edney helped coach 97 student-athletes at Lincoln to All-America status and has helped five Scarlet Raiders become All-Americans since starting the track & field/cross country programs at Rutgers-Newark for the first time in 2007.
 
Rutgers University-Newark Director of Athletics Mark Griffin on Edney's induction.
 
"Having been privileged to watch Juan complete as an athlete many years ago I can assure you he is very deserving of this honor. The teams he was a part of at Lincoln were truly some of the best in Division III history, and he was a huge reason for that. It's an honor to have a member of my coaching staff be inducted into his college hall of fame."
 
Edney was a high school standout in cross country, track & field, basketball and football, helping his Dobbins teams to Public League titles in cross country and basketball.
 
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Lincoln and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in 2005. He is an active member of the NCAA Division III Track & Field Coaches Association as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
 
Edney will be in his 10th year leading the Rutgers-Newark cross country and track & field programs in 2016-17. The first '16-17 competition will be in Delaware on September 10.