Tate Takes over BU Cross-Country and Track

Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Jaxon Bast.

Bluefield University has a new head coach for cross-country and track. Kevin Tate has been named the interim head coach for both men’s and women’s cross-country and men’s and women’s track and field for the 2023-2024 school year.

Tate comes to Bluefield after a young career of his own in cross-country and track and field that started just down the road in nearby Princeton, West Virginia.

“I went to Princeton High School where I ran both cross-country and track for four years,” Tate said. “So, being able to share my love and knowledge of the sport for a hometown school is pretty cool.”

After Princeton, Tate continued his athletic and academic career at Ferrum College, where he spent four years participating in cross-country and track and field and earning his bachelor’s degree this past May.

“(I’m) blessed with this opportunity,” Tate said about this next chapter in his young career, “and I am very excited to take on the challenge and build a solid running program at Bluefield University.”

Tate also described his attitude as “humble and blessed,” words he uses as a tribute to the late Tony Webster, a student-athlete at Bluefield High School who collapsed during a football practice in 2019 and soon after died.

“This quote will forever be a part of my life for a true hero of both Bluefield, West Virginia, and Bluefield, Virginia, and that’s Tony Webster,” Tate said. “Love you, Tony.”

Tate said he’s very excited about the upcoming season. He said the team motto is, “Trust the process.” Members of the cross-country and track and field teams are equally excited about having Tate on board.

“He (Tate) can relate to us because he’s really young and very skilled at what he does,” said cross-country and track athlete Monty Street.