FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton Athletic Director Jim Donovan announced on Wednesday that Marques Barosso has been promoted to Head Coach of the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. Barosso is just the second NCAA Division I head coach in program history, replacing John Elders after he led the program for 33 years, the longest-tenured head coach in school history.
Associate AD & Senior Women's Administrator, Meredith Basil, was the Chair of the hiring committee that conducted a national search. Basil is also the Cross Country and Track & Field sport supervisor. Other members of the Committee include: Dr Elaine Rutowski, Dr Scott Hewitt, ASI President Josh Mitchell, Robert Miyoshi (Alumnus), Jayce Smith, Greg Paules and John Vaca. After narrowing down the list of impressive candidates, Vice President Tonantzin Oseguera individually met with each finalist.
"I'm pleased to announce Marques as our second-ever Division I Head Coach for our Cross Country and Track & Field programs," Donovan said. "As Associate Head Coach, Marques has been integral in creating a championship program — helping us win our first five Big West Conference championships since 2017. We are all very much looking forward to many more Championships!"
"Again, I'd like to thank John Elders for leading our Cross Country and Track & Field programs for the past 33 years. I know Marques will continue John's legacy of creating a positive experience, focusing on graduating our student athletes and winning conference championships!"
Barosso is in his eighth season with the Titans after spending the last two years as the associate head of the track and field program. He spent the previous five as an assistant coach. Barosso specifically oversees the Titan sprinters, hurdlers and relays, and over the last six years under his guidance, the Titans have captured 17 Big West Outdoor Track and Field Individual titles.
"I would first like to thank, President Fram Virjee and first lady Julie Virjee, Vice President Tonantzin Oseguera, Athletic Director Jim Donovan, Associate Director of Athletics, Senior Woman's Administrator & Deputy Title IX Coordinator Dr. Meredith Basil along with the hiring committee and ASI president Josh Mitchell. Thank you all for believing in me and proving that hard work and dedication pays off," Barosso said.
"I would like to send a special thanks to Coach John Elders for his mentorship and years of preparing me for the next stage of my career. I am very excited and humbled to be named Coach Elders successor. I look forward to working with our athletic administration and continue building Titan Cross Country/ Track and Field. I will establish a culture of hard-working, high character, dedicated student athletes, on and off the track. We will share common goals of personal development, winning championships and building our brand at the national level. Our Titans will reach higher to impact our community and leave a legacy for future generations."
Barosso has been part of the staff that has turned the program into a perennial contender to win the Big West Championship on both the men's and women's side. The Titans have won three men's titles in the last four (2017, 2018, 2021) competitions and took second place in the other (2019). The women won their first title in 2019 and took second place in 2021.
In addition, on the men's side during the last six seasons, new Cal State Fullerton records have been set in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 110-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay.
For the women's outdoor track and field team, a new record was set in the 400-meter hurdles in 2016. In women's indoor track and field action, new records have been set in the 200 meters, 800 meters and 4x100-meter relay.
"I couldn't be more excited to hear that Coach Marques Barosso has been named my successor," Elders said. "For the past seven years Coach B and I have worked side by side to build a championship culture here at CSUF, and I'm confident he's the right person to lead this program moving forward. Titan Athletics has hired a leader, a competitor, a winner, and most importantly, a Titan. His experience and success here as a student-athlete and coach uniquely qualify him to lead our young men and women into the future. I look forward to watching him take Titans track and field and cross country to even greater heights. LET'S GO TITANS!!!"
Prior to joining the Titans, Barosso was a speed development and strength and conditioning coach with the Baltimore Orioles, while also taking on the responsibilities as a sprints and relay coach with UC Irvine from 2013-14.
On the track as a Titan, Barosso was the 2006 Big West Champion in the 200 meters (20.97). He was also a participant at the Paris, France Indoor Track and Field event and currently holds personal bests in the 100 meters (10.39), 200 meters (20.97), 400 meters (48.09) and 40-yard dash (4.27).