The Montclair State University Department of Athletics has announced
the hiring of Aubrey Lewis, Jr. as its new men’s and women’s track
and field head coach. Lewis takes over for the late Gerald “Bennie”
Benson, who passed away in February.
Lewis, who is currently serving as an assistant coach with the MSU
football team, was a scholastic standout at Montclair High School
where he played both football and track in the late 1970s before
earning a track scholarship to Eastern Michigan. At EMU, he competed
in the 400 meter hurdles and the 800 meters for legendary coach Bob
Parks, a holder of several NCAA Division I national records. Lewis
also ran with teammate Earl Jones, a bronze medalist in the 800
meters at the 1984 Olympic Games in
Los Angeles.
“It has been a difficult time for MSU track and field since the loss
of Bennie Benson last February,” said MSU Athletic Director Holly
Gera. “With the appointment of Aubrey Lewis we are confident that we
have found a person who exhibits many of the same attributes as
Bennie. Aubrey is a dedicated, caring individual. He has been on our
football staff for the past two years and has proven himself to be
an effective recruiter and coach. We look forward to him bringing
these skills to lead our track and field program.”
A graduate of
Eastern Michigan
in 1984, Lewis has coached at the AAU and Junior Olympic levels and
possesses an expertise in strength and conditioning. In
addition, Lewis’ father Aubrey Sr., was an All-American at the
University of Notre Dame where the elder Lewis was an All-American
in the 400 meter hurdles and held the world record in the event with
a time of 49 seconds in 1956. Lewis, Sr. was also named New
Jersey’s Offensive Football Player of the Century. |