Worcester, MA --- Worcester State University Director of Athletics Michael Mudd has announced that Jim Lemieux has resigned his position as the head coach of the women's track and field team to become a full-time assistant coach at Utica College. A search for his successor will begin immediately.

"I'd like to thank Jim for his time while at Worcester State," said Mudd. "He has done a great job of successfully developing our student-athletes."

Lemieux, who also served as the throws coach for the men's and women's programs for the last five years, directed the women's squad to a pair of top 10 finishes at the Division III New England Championships in each of the last two indoor and outdoor seasons he has been head coach of the women's program. 

In his inaugural campaign as head coach, Lemieux's 2013 outdoor team won its first ever New England Alliance outdoor crown and third MASCAC title. Later on in that same outdoor campaign, the Lancers placed seventh at the ECAC Division III Championships and finished in a tie for 15th at the Open New England Championships all the while shattering team records for points at both meets.

As the throws coach, numerous individuals earned postseason accolades at the Division III New England's, the Open New England's and the ECAC Championships during the indoor and outdoor seasons under his tutelage.

Most notably, Lemieux helped guide current senior Alyssa Jasper (Rockland, MA) to three straight NCAA Division III appearances to the Outdoor Championships in the javelin and he had part in tutoring her to eighth overall in the heptathlon for All-American accolades this past spring. Jasper has also claimed the Division III New England javelin title in back-to-back seasons.

Senior Jason Sliwoski (Leicester, MA) also won the shot put and the discus en route to a school-record setting performance in the outdoor heptathlon at the Division III New England Championships and a top 30 point total nationally this past season.

For the first time in program history, the Lancers were also recognized by the USTFCCCA for their prowess in the classroom with a team academic award for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons for maintaining a cumulative grade point average above a 3.15 in both academic years.

"We're excited for Jim's new opportunity to be a full-time coach," said Mudd.