Education
B.A. Warren Wilson College

Contact Information
Phone:  828-771-3754
Email:  michaels@warren-wilson.edu

Jason Michaels is entering his eighth season coaching the men's and women's Cross Country teams at Warren Wilson College.

Since beginning at Warren Wilson, coach Michaels has led the team to the USCAA Nationals for six consecutive years.  Both teams have seen 2nd place finishes at nationals.  Individual runners Chelsea Gay has finished 3rd for 2 years consecutively and team member Betsy Kane has placed 2nd both being honored with All-American Awards.  In addition to several successful seasons, the team has been honored with our WWC Team High GPA Award for four of the five years the award has been presented at WWC.  Team members are consistently honored with Academic All-American recognition at the USCAA nationals for individuals having high academic grades and honors.

Michaels is an Alumni of Warren Wilson College and was a member of the Cross Country team during his time as a student.  He has remained an avid runner and has participated in numerous trail races, triathlons and adventure races.  He has completed several Half-Ironman Distance Triathlons and two Ironman Distance Triathlons.  Above all, he enjoys challenging adventures of all kinds, and inspiring others to introduce endurance and adventure sports to their lifestyle.

In addition to being the Cross Country coach at WWC, Michaels is also the Director of Outdoor Programs at the college and teaches within the Outdoor Leadership Department.  He has led numerous service learning trips for the college, and was awarded with the college's Crumpler Service Award in 2008 for his leadership of various Service Learning opportunities for students.  Michaels enjoys integrating all of these facets of his position to his work with the Cross Country team.  The team will run some of most beautiful trails in the area, and may even find themselves rock climbing, paddling, surfing, hang gliding. In addition, the team also participates in service learning opportunities together throughout the year.

Beyond his work at Warren Wilson College, Michaels can be found traveling just about anywhere to find good roads and trails for running or cycling or searching out long beautiful rock climbing routes.  His seven year-old son Spencer is often his partner in local adventures and enjoys contributing to speed workouts with the team where he is the time-keeper or challenges team members to the final 20 meters of their circuit.