ETOBICOKE, Ont. – Humber College Director of Athletics Ray Chateau has announced that Scott Skimming has been named the head coach of the Humber cross country program.

Skimming will take over the program from two-time national champion (2011, 2014) head coach Teresa Arnini, who retired from coaching this summer to keep her focus on Humber's highly successful High Performance Centre. Arnini played an influential role in bringing cross country back to the varsity lineup in 2005.

"This is an exciting new chapter for our cross country program," said Chateau. "Not only is he a highly successful coach, but he is also deeply committed to the development of the whole student-athlete - their academic success, civic engagement, and identity development." 

President and head coach of 310 Running since 2009, Skimming established the top-ranked U16 female endurance program in Canada in 2019 with two athletes ranked in the top-eight nationally in three different events. He also had two athletes ranked in the top-three provincially in five different endurance events.

"I am very excited to join the Humber Hawks coaching staff," said Coach Skimming. "The organization has shown tremendous foresight and commitment to their student-athletes and the cross country program by bringing me in during this very challenging time. Together, assistant coach Darren Mancini and I plan to develop a team that raises the bar from good to excellent to elite."

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 OCAA cross country season, Coach Skimming believes the extra time can be used productively.

"While it's certainly disappointing to our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and administration that the season was cancelled, it will provide us with a unique opportunity and the time to develop the discipline, depth, passion and commitment to excellence that will lift the Humber cross country program to national prominence," he said.

An NCCP Certified Club Coach and In-Training Performance Coach, Skimming himself has quite the athletic resume. He's competed in over 25 marathons – including three Boston Marathons and Ironman Germany.

"I want to thank former head coach Teresa Arnini for being so welcoming and so generous sharing her knowledge of, and experience with, the team and the program," added Coach Skimming. "She has given me a tremendous head start."

Source: Humber Hawks