ATLANTA – Georgia State University proudly announces the appointment of Ricardo Page as the new head coach for the women's cross country and track & field program, effective July 2024.
"Thank you to Charlie Cobb and Brad Horton for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead the GSU cross country and track and field teams," Page said. "Returning to Georgia State, a place that holds a special place in my coaching career, feels like a homecoming. I believe in Georgia State's potential to dominate the Sun Belt Conference, and I'm eager to build upon the program's strong foundation."
Page joins Georgia State after a successful tenure at Purdue University, where he served as an assistant coach and achieved remarkable milestones in coaching throwers.
Page's coaching career at Purdue was marked by outstanding achievements, including guiding Boilermaker thrower Seth Allen to an 18th place finish in the discus at nationals, leading to an All-America honorable mention. Additionally, Page led Allen to a Big Ten champion in the discus after completing a 60.95m throw, which ranked second in Purdue history and best by a Boilermaker since 2018. Allen also won the 2023 US U20 national title in the discus and went on to win gold at the 2023 Pan American U20 Championships in the discus.
While at Perdue, Page also lead Johnny Vanos to an 11th-place finish nationally in the weight throw at the NCAA Championships, earning Second Team All-America honors. Under Page's tutelage, Vanos secured Purdue's first indoor NCAA qualification in a throws event since 2019 and clinched a Big Ten silver medal. Additionally, Page coached Vanos to top-10 marks in both the weight throw and hammer throw, marking significant milestones for Purdue's track and field program.
Before his tenure at Purdue, Page demonstrated his coaching prowess at Lane College, UCF, Georgia State, and Jackson State, among others. His coaching career spans 15 years, during which he has mentored numerous conference champions, NCAA qualifiers, All-Americans, and record-holders. Notably, Page's athletes have captured two team conference titles, showcasing his ability to develop championship-caliber programs.
Page's coaching philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach to athlete development, focusing on technical mastery, academic excellence, and personal growth. His track record of success and commitment to the student-athlete experience make him a valuable addition to the Georgia State athletics community.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Ricardo Page back to our program as our head coach for cross country and track & field, after conducting a national search." Brad Horton Georgia State's Senior Associate Athletics Director and cross country and track & field supervisor, said of Page. "He garners great respect as a coach, manager, communicator, and motivator who will build strong bonds with his student-athletes. We're looking forward to having him, his wife, Samarla, and their children, as I know he will enhance this program and bring a winning culture."
Page earned his bachelor's degree in coaching education from Southern Mississippi and a master's degree in health and physical education from Union College. His competitive background includes breaking records and earning medals at various levels of competition, reflecting his deep-rooted passion for track and field.
As the newest addition to Georgia State's coaching staff, Page is poised to lead the women's track and field program to new heights, continuing the university's tradition of athletic excellence.
For more information on Georgia State University athletics and Ricardo Page's appointment, please visit www.georgiastatesports.com.
